Conclusions 
Survey flights were concluded within ap- 
pointed dates. Clouds caused overcast skies 
and cooler days but only 1 day was lost 
because of shower activity. Excessive wind 
forced a l-day delay. 
Progress of nesting season would be con- 
sidered early to near normal. Mallard and 
pintail males in groups as large astenmales 
were evident during early May, This condition 
in lone males remained static andthe smaller 
groupings below five were usual during the 
survey period, 
Index of total numbers of water areas has 
increased 61 percent from 1962 and is only 5 
percent below average, 
Habitat conditions have improved in the 
northern half of the survey area with the 
northern parklands being the best. Improve- 
ment of habitat conditions was noted innorth- 
eastern prairies but elsewhere conditions 
remain poor for nesting ducks. Irrigation 
districts could ameliorate this condition in 
those areas. 
Breeding populations have responded to 
‘improved habitat conditions. A 14 percent 
increase was recorded over last year. The 
total index is still 23 percent below the long- 
time average, 
MaWNard indexes are low by 20 percent and 
the population did not increase over last year 
in spite of better habitat conditions. 
Pintails have recurred in significant num- 
bers and increased 46 percent from 1962. 
They remain 41 percent below the average. 
There was a general increase in diving 
ducks this year over last year and totals are 
near normal because scaup were abundant in 
the northern parklands. 
Shoveler, gadwall, and scaup indexes areas 
high or higher than long-time average data. 
All other species are below with some as 
great as 50 percent, 
Coots have reappeared on the improved 
habitat, Their increase from last year is 165 
percent. However, the coot index remains 30 
percent below normal, 
If improved habitat conditions can be 
maintained by recurrent summer rain, water- 
fowl populations should increase over last 
year, They will not, however, approach 
average levels. 
May surveys revealed an increase of 14 
percent in breeding populations over last 
year and a decrease of 23 percent from the 
long-time average, 
21 
General improvement of habitat noted dur- 
ing May surveys continues through July 
because of recurrent rains. 
These improvements caused anincrease in 
brood indexes from last year. This change 
was a 54 percent increase over 1962 anda 
15 percent decrease from the long-time 
average. 
The coot brood index showed no change 
from 1962 and is still below average by 62 
percent. 
Renesting is low and will not be an im- 
portant factor affecting early nesting water- 
fowl species. 
Phenologically the season is normal. 
Visibility of broods was difficult during the 
July surveys, Low spring water levels were 
conducive to excessive growthand emergents 
and aquatics, once started, remained ahead of 
increases in water depth, 
There was a notable exodus of adult ducks 
from the southern prairies as observed during 
the July survey. 
Available brooding habitat was not filledto 
capacity. 
The index is 104, This is higher than last 
year but lower than the average. 
From the survey area a significant increase 
in the fall flight is expected. This increase 
could approximate 50 percent. 
Conditions are set for a good carry-over 
of potholes in much of the waterfowl breeding 
habitat in central and southern Alberta. 
WASHINGTON 
Data supplied by Robert G, Jeffrey 
and J, Burton Lauckhart, Washington 
Department of Game 
Weather and Habitat Conditions 
Conditions for duck production were much 
improved in the far eastern potholes, due to 
a rapid runoff which refilled the potholes, 
Although nesting pairs were fewer in this 
area, nesting success wasup 114percent over 
last year. Counterbalancing this, pothole 
numbers in Douglas and western Okanogan 
Counties were 20 percent fewer in number 
this spring, continuing the drying trend ofthe 
past several years, 
