In 1961 that portion of Montana west of the 
Continental Divide was included in the Flyway. 
In 1962, sections of Wyoming, Colorado, and 
New Mexico west of the Continental Divide 
were also included in the Pacific Flyway. 
Less than 36,000 ducks were recorded in 
this four-state area in 1963. 
It should also be noted that Ross’ geese have 
been included with snow geese in the survey 
figures. Since 1958 special surveys on the 
California wintering areas have been con- 
ducted in late February to assess populations 
of Ross’ geese, Results of these have been 
as follows: 
Year Geese Year Geese 
1958 12,800 1961 23,050 
1959 15,600 1962 27,920 
1960 18,000 1963 25,253 
Weather conditions during the 1963 survey 
were generally good with the exception of 
some local fog in western Washington and 
central California. Coverage and compara- 
bility of the survey were similar with past 
years. 
BREEDING GROUND SURVEY 
ALASKA 
Data supplied by Ray Woolford and 
Henry A, Hansen, Bureau of Sport 
Fisheries and Wildlife; and Peter 
E, K, Shephard, Alaska Department 
of Fish and Game 
Weather and Habit Conditions 
In mgarked contrast with a year ago Alaska 
had a rélatively mild winter with very little 
snowfall, Spring breakup was not early be- 
cause the most severe storm of the winter 
blanketed the entire State the last week of 
March and the first few days of April, The 
snow cover at this late date kept most lakes 
icebound wellinto May with large lakes carry- 
ing ice until May 20. By the time waterfowl 
had started to arrive late in April, however, 
temperatures had moderated and spring ac- 
celerated at a faster pace than had been ob- 
served in many years, 
Flooding accompanied the breakup in afew 
areas, but it should have had little or no ad- 
verse effect on production as happened in 
1962, The flooding was not extensive nor 
prolonged nor did it occur after the early 
nesting species started to incubate as was the 
case last year. Early in May the tempera- 
tures everywhere north and west ofthe Alaska 
Range as far north as the Brooks Range and 
out to the Bering Sea roseto 60° or more and 
remained high with no precipitation, From 
May 20 to June 1 during the survey there was 
not a cloud in the sky over allof western and 
interior Alaska to mar the acceleration of the 
season, The favorable response of the early 
13 
nesting species was evident in the rapidly 
growing flocks of deserter male pintails and 
mallards. 
Breeding Population Indexes 
There was a 15 percent decrease in the 
breeding population of game ducks, both 
divers and dabblers. Scoters had not yetar- 
rived on the interior breeding grounds at the 
time of the survey so the indicated decrease of 
27 percent inthe scoter population is not valid. 
Following last year’s extremely poor produc- 
tion, a decrease this year should have been 
expected. This was true ofall species except 
mallard, green-winged teal, and canvasback 
which showed increases. Teal can be dis- 
counted because too few are visible from the 
air. There is no explanation why mallards 
should have increased more than 35 percent 
because they had as poor production in 1962 
as any other species. Canvasback is a rela- 
tively minor species in Alaska but highly 
visible, They are largely confined to three 
areas and their pattern of distribution may not 
be random enough for adequate censusing with 
the current intensity of the aerial survey. 
If the survey in southeastern Yukon and 
northwestern British Columbia is meaningful 
there was practically no change in the total 
breeding population in that portion of Canada, 
although scaup, mallard, and pintail showed 
small increases which were offset by losses 
in goldeneye and bufflehead. 
Perhaps the best estimate of conditions for 
much of the stable interior spruce-muskeg 
habitat can be gained from an air- ground study 
on the Ft, Yukon flats by Dr. Calvin C, 
Lensink, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and 
