broods decreased an average of 1.2 ducklings 
a brood, It will also benotedthat the number 
of single ducks, the pairs, and groups of 
3- 10 which might possibly be class III broods 
or flying young decreased from the numbers 
recorded in 1962, At this time of the season 
single ducks or pairs have no significanceas 
to being indicators of production to come, 
The only valid measurement is the actual 
sight of a brood—even maternal hens can 
seldom be identified as such from a fast 
moving aircraft. 
The increases in broods recorded in strata 
2, 3 and 6 are contrary to the trends estab- 
lished during the May - June population sur- 
vey. Weather—especially wind velocity hasa 
tremendous influence on brood visibility. 
Consequently, this may be measuring the 
factors affecting brood visibility rather than 
the magnitude of the hatch. To compensate 
for this assumed error the transect is run 
twice in this principle work area. How- 
ever, often less broods are seen on the 
second run than on the first run, which is 
contrary to the facts, This proves the point 
but fails to solve the problem, 
Adverse weather during the critical period 
of the scaup hatch could have accounted for 
the poor showing north of Great Slave Lake. 
This must be assumed in the absence of basic 
research, Late flooding of the low basins of 
the Athabaska and MacKenzie Deltas probably 
also adversely affected late nesters — at least 
very little was visible on the MacKenzie 
Delta during repeated coverages at the time 
when scaup broods should be very much in 
evidence. 
The data on coots and geese are too meager 
to attempt to draw any conclusions, Coots 
are found only on the Athabaska Delta and 
the sampling pattern is geared to ducks 
rather than geese. 
Conclusions 
In summary, the number of broods recorded 
increased in the three most southerly strata 
but decreased in the north, resulting in an 
overall decrease of 6 percent for the entire 
survey area. This decrease represents a 
continuing downward trend in duck production 
in the Northwest Territories and Yukon, 
Average brood size, the three classes con- 
sidered together, remained almost static but 
class II broods averaged 1,2 ducklings less 
than in 1962. Weather, during the critical 
hatching period of scaup, was unfavorable and 
18 
late flooding of the deltas probably adversely 
affected late nesters as well. 
SOUTHERN ALBERTA 
Data supplied by G. Hortin Jensen and 
Alva E, Weinrich, Bureau of Sport 
Fisheries and Wildlife 
Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Last summer some signs were apparent 
that drought conditions might be waning. 
Varying amounts of moisture fell over the 
Province of Alberta and the heaviest precipi- 
tation occurred incentraland northernareas, 
By early fall the soil moisture situation had 
improved and was the best recorded during 
the recent drought years. As will be observed 
in several instances, southern Alberta must 
be excepted. This area still recorded sub- 
surface reserves low or lacking. Fall 
precipitation was measurably better than 1960 
or 1961 but was still below normal conditions, 
This more favorable situation of early fall 
was offset by lack of precipitation during 
late fall and winter. Loss of moisture 
continued during this period, so as winter set 
in, dry soils were again evident in southern 
Alberta, 
Last winter was characterized by light 
snowfall except in northern and ‘central 
Alberta, Areas south of the Red Deer River 
were largely without snow during the winter 
months, Snowfall was good in the parklands, 
Transition from winter to spring was very 
gradual. Under these conditions runoffis poor 
and moisture percolates into the soil rather 
than into pothole basins, 
Fortunately, April storms helped fill the 
moisture gap for the first time in several 
seasons, However, during April a similar 
pattern of precipitation deficiency in the 
south and above normal precipitation in the 
north was recorded, These values ranged 
from as little as half of normal toover twice 
the normal amounts of moisture, 
As we approached the current waterfowl 
nesting season surface and subsoil moisture 
conditions had improved in the parklands and 
northeastern prairie while southern areas had 
suffered significant losses. The impact of 
these general habitat conditions is reflected 
in the summarization of pothole data from the 
survey area which is presented in table D-1, 
p. 104. 
