Winter Trend Data - Atlantic Flyway 
Reports from the winter survey crews in the Atlantic 
Flyway indicate that during this year's survey it was likely that 
a higher percentage of the birds present were observed than was 
true last year. This was due in part to frozen habitat in the 
northern part of the Flyway and to drier conditions in the 
southern part, both of which force birds out into the open where 
they could be more readily seen. Practically all of the survey 
was conducted during the period January 16 through 21, 
The results of the survey shows the status of the over- 
all population of important species of ducks to be similar to 
that of last year. This leaves little room for optimism since 
last year's survey indicated a population level at or below the 
lowest of the past 10 years. It should be kept in mind also that 
since birds were more readily observed this year, the net effect 
could be a lower population status than that of last year. 
There were rather sizeable increases in the status of | 
some species as compared to last year, such as the mallard (plus 
76 percent), gadwall (plus 87 percent) and shoveller (plus 72 
percent). It is perhaps significant to note that these increases 
occurred primarily in South Carolina where lower water levels 
made the birds more visible. Iast year, the mallard population 
dropped about 50 percent due prossibly to high water levels which 
caused the birds to move into areas where they were not readily 
seen. In fact it is interesting to note that the total dabbling 
duck eatimate for South Carolina is in the neighborhood of 4 
times that of the next highest State. This is quite unusual and 
is thought to be attributable not only to lower water levels but 
also to the forcing of birds south by severe winter weather in 
the northern part of the Flyway. 
Among the diving ducks there were small to moderate 
decreases in all species except ring-neck and bufflehead. The 
population of ringneck has decreased markedly during the past 
several years, and it is encouraging to note that the wintering 
population in the Atlantic Flyway increased approximately one- 
third during 1959. 
The Canada goose population remained approximately 
stable as compared to a year ago. It should be noted, however, 
that there has been a gradual decrease in the Canada goose popula- 
tion in the Atlantic Flyway from a peak reached in 1955. The 1959 
wintering population was 41 percent below the 1955 level. The 
pity 
