Waterfowl production and habitat survey for southern Saskatchewan

              U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
and
Environment Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
ALBERTA SASKATCHEWAN MANITOBA
MONTANA
NORTH
DAKOTA
SOUTH
DAKOTA
NORTH BATTLEFORD
SASKATOON
PRINCE ALBERT
WYNYARD
KINDERSLEY
SWIFT CURRENT
MOOSE JAW
YORKTON
REGINA
BROADVIEW
ESTEVAN
2001
WATERFOWL P RODUCTION S URVEY
SOUTHERN S ASKATCHEWAN
31
30
33
32 34
35
TITLE: Waterfowl Production and Habitat Survey for Southern Saskatchewan
STRATA SURVEYED: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35
DATES: July 6-19, 2001
DATA SUPPLIED BY: United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Air Crew
Strata 30, 31, 32, and 33
Pilot/Observer – Philip P. Thorpe, Flyway Biologist, USFWS
Pilot/Observer – Karen S. Bollinger, Flyway Biologist (TR), USFWS
Strata 34 and 35
Pilot/Observer - Rod King, Flyway Biologist, USFWS
Observer - Herb Bell, Wildlife Biologist, USFWS
ABSTRACT: Well-below average precipitation fell across most of the reporting area in June
and July. No improvement occurred to upland or wetland habitat conditions in most of the
survey area and drought-like conditions existed over a large portion of the unit. Pond indices
were down 35%, 33%, and 3% from 2000, the 10-year, and the long-term means, respectively.
The overall brood index was up 5% from last year and 17% from the 10-year mean, but remained
below the long-term mean (-22%). The late-nesting index was 29%, 1%, and 19% below 2000,
the 10-year mean, and the long-term mean, respectively. Overall, poor recruitment is expected
out of most of Southern Saskatchewan with fair duck recruitment coming out of the southeast.
METHODS: The procedures followed in conducting the July Waterfowl Production and
Habitat Survey are described in the Standard Operating Procedures for Aerial Waterfowl
Breeding Population and Habitat Surveys in North America, Section IV, revised 1987. There
were no changes made this year in operating procedures. Survey coverage was complete and all
data are considered comparable to previous years (Table 1). A Cessna 206 and a Cessna 206
equipped with amphibious floats were used to survey strata 30-33 and strata 34-35, respectively.
A GPS/voice recording system was used to collect data (Thorpe 2000). During the period 6-19
July, approximately 65 and 17 hours of flight time were required to complete the transect flights
in strata 30-33 and 34-35, respectively. While surveying Southern Saskatchewan, both crews
were delayed two days due to weather.
WEATHER AND HABITAT CONDITIONS: Although June is generally the wettest month in
Saskatchewan, this year it was one of the driest. Since the May survey, precipitation amounts
continued to be well-below average (40-60% of average) over most of the survey area and record
dry conditions persisted in the northwest part of stratum 32 (Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
2001). On the northern and southern edges of the survey area conditions improved to only
below-average precipitation amounts (60-80% of average) (Sask Water 2001). The bright spot in
July Waterfowl Production Survey, 2001 Southern Saskatchewan
the survey unit is the southeast corner, which had average conditions. During June and July,
precipitation fell mainly from isolated thunderstorms.
A normal decline in pond numbers from May to July occurred in all strata; however, the
decline in strata 30-31 was magnified by an already considerable decline from the previous year.
This left many semipermanent wetlands that were low in May; dry in July. The combined pond
index was down 35% from July 2000 and 33% from the 10-year mean, but remained about the
same as the long-term mean (LTM) (Table 2).
According to the July 16 Crop Report (Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food 2001), topsoil,
pasture, and hayland was rated as poor over most of the central and northern strata, poor to fair in
the south-central and southwest, and fair to good in the southeast. Stations from across the
survey area reported that drought-like conditions existed for 50% of the stations in the south,
98% of the stations in the central region, and 76% in the north. Temperatures during June and
July were generally 1-2o C below normal.
PRODUCTION INDICES: The overall brood index was up slightly from last year and up 17%
from the 10-year mean but was down 22% from the LTM (Table 3). The composition of duck
broods (n = 590) by age class (Gollup and Marshall 1954) was as follows: Class I, 28.2% (n =
163); Class II, 47.7% (n = 276); Class III, 24.2% (n = 140); unclassified, 1.9% (n = 11). The
weighted average brood size among the intact Class II and III broods observed during our survey
(n = 316) was 5.5, which is slightly higher than last year (0 = 5.2) and the LTM (0 = 5.2), but
about the same as the 10-year mean (0 = 5.4) (Table 3). The coot brood index was 6% below the
2000 index but remained 41% and 26% above the 10-year mean and LTM, respectively (Table
3). The 2001 coot brood index was the 12th highest on record (Appendix 1).
LATE-NESTING INDICES: The late-nesting index (LNI) is a rough measure of renesting
effort, or potential broods that will hatch after our survey (Henny et al. 1972). This year’s total
LNI was 29% below 2000 and 19% below the LTM (Table 3). The dabbling species LNI was
down 25% from 2000 and 21% from the LTM. The divers total LNI was down 41% from last
year. When the brood index and total LNI are combined (165.6), 2000 ranks 23rd or about
average since 1955 (Appendix 1).
DISCUSSIONS: Although poor conditions existed throughout most of the Southern
Saskatchewan survey area, the brood index and average brood size both showed a slight increase
this year (statistically this may not be a significant increase). Significant or not, one would
expect that the brood index and average brood size would be down in such a dry year because of
poor nesting and brood habitat (i.e., few seasonals and overall lower density of wetlands). The
southeast part of the Province had better habitat conditions and contributed to some of the
increase (or stabilization) in the index (stratum 34 was up 34% from last year). More surprising
were the increases from 2000 in stratum 32 (21%) and 33 (50%). Although the southeast part of
stratum 32 did have fair to good habitat conditions, this area comprised only a small portion of
the stratum and did not contain a disproportionate number of broods, as one would expect.
Rather, the increase in the overall brood index of stratum 32 seemed to result mainly from
broods observed in the dry part of the stratum. Stratum 33 generally had poor habitat conditions
and few attractive wetland basins; in fact, stratum 33 ponds were down 54% from last July and
44% from this May. Given these circumstances, the increase in the duck brood index may reflect
an actual slight increase from last year or it could be caused by survey bias A common bias
2 2
July Waterfowl Production Survey, 2001 Southern Saskatchewan
associated with the July survey occurs when vegetation hides broods in wet years and results in
an underestimated brood index because of lower visibility rates by observers. In dry years, with
most seasonal wetlands dry, broods are exposed on artificial (dugouts, reservoirs, etc.,) and
drawndown semipermanent wetlands and observer visibility rates are higher and result in more
broods seen and counted. Further ground comparison studies would be useful to explain some of
the biases with the survey or develop useable visibility correction factors. All other indices
associated with the survey were lower and reflected the lower quality habitat available to
waterfowl this year.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Thanks to the Manitoba crew for data collection in strata 34-35.
Also, thanks to Dan Nieman, Canadian Wildlife Service, for habitat updates and brood
information. Thanks to Karen Bollinger for making comments that improved this report.
Submitted by Philip P. Thorpe, July 30, 2001
LITERATURE CITED
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. 2001. Drought Watch on the Prairies.
(http://aceis.agr.ca/pfra/drought.htm).
Gollup, J. B., and W. H. Marshall. 1954. A guide for aging duck broods in the field.
Mississippi Flyway Council Technical Section, Minneapolis, MN. 14pp.
Henny, C. J., D. R. Anderson, and R. S. Pospahala. 1972. Aerial surveys of waterfowl
production in North America, 1955-1971. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special
Scientific Report 160.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. 2001. Crop Report, July 16, 2001. Report Number 16.
(http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/reports/crop_report/crprpt010716.pdf).
Sask Water. 2001. Streamflow Forecast and Water Supply Outlook for Saskatchewan, July 1,
2001. River Forecast Centre, Basin Operations, Water Resource and Infrastructure
Management Division. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Thorpe, P. P. 2000. Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey for Southern Saskatchewan.
Division of Migratory Bird Management, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Denver,
Colorado.
3 3
Table 1. Survey design and July 2001 coverage for Southern Saskatchewan.
Stratum
30 31 32 33 34 35 Total
Survey design:
Square miles in stratum 18,570 21,086 37,911 11,345 13,164 9,044 111,120
Square miles in sample- waterfowl/ponds 76.50 72.00 285.75 45.00 87.75 63.00 630.00
Linear miles in sample 612 576 2,286 360 702 504 5,040
Number of transects in sample 4 5 14 6 5 6 40
Number of segments in sample 34 32 127 20 39 28 280
Expansion factor 242.745 292.861 132.672 252.111 150.017 143.556
July 2001 coverage:
Square miles in sample- waterfowl/ponds 76.50 72.00 285.75 45.00 87.75 63.00 630.00
Linear miles in sample 612 576 2,286 360 702 504 5,040
Number of transects in sample 4 5 14 6 5 6 40
Number of segments in sample 34 32 127 20 39 28 280
Expansion factor 242.745 292.861 132.672 252.111 150.017 143.556
Waterfowl Production Survey, 2001 Southern Saskatchewan
4
4
July Waterfowl Production Survey, 2001 Southern Saskatchewan
Table 2. Long-term trend in July pond estimates¹ (thousands) by stratum with comparisons against the previous year, the 10-year mean (1991-2000),
the long-term mean (1955-2000), and May 2001 pond estimates ² for Southern Saskatchewan.
Stratum
Year 30 31 32 33 34 35 Total
1955 138.6 332.1 374.5 120.5 668.5 449.0 2,083.2
1956 120.9 186.8 210.1 34.8 346.5 216.2 1,115.3
1957 59.0 136.8 127.6 18.9 260.8 77.4 680.5
1958 57.0 82.8 69.1 18.4 127.9 46.1 401.3
1959 40.1 95.9 123.0 31.5 155.6 74.1 520.2
1960 47.3 104.0 136.8 16.9 229.7 102.5 637.2
1961 41.0 35.6 51.1 10.3 32.8 22.4 193.2
1962 ³ 29.9 40.0 62.6 12.4 - - 144.8
1963 93.0 97.2 227.8 41.6 177.5 89.4 726.5
1964 33.5 82.5 99.2 13.1 141.9 144.3 514.5
1965 112.4 188.7 289.1 88.7 167.5 69.5 915.9
1966 149.0 320.8 239.9 72.9 164.3 105.2 1,052.1
1967 86.4 136.5 192.6 44.6 101.1 50.2 611.6
1968 66.3 96.2 88.5 15.9 41.1 20.2 328.2
1969 125.4 151.8 357.0 63.0 86.6 159.2 943.1
1970 278.3 365.8 568.2 70.1 219.3 209.6 1,711.4
1971 159.1 277.5 335.9 41.9 171.7 91.6 1,077.7
1972 116.5 189.7 154.8 25.2 108.0 107.4 701.6
1973 153.1 442.7 145.3 21.7 103.5 52.4 918.6
1974 262.5 309.9 455.3 57.5 252.5 175.0 1,512.7
1975 216.7 299.6 391.1 69.1 282.5 281.9 1,540.8
1976 165.1 254.5 414.3 55.2 266.7 211.5 1,367.3
1977 101.6 187.4 183.0 19.9 154.1 72.2 718.1
1978 82.1 177.8 240.1 50.4 165.3 135.7 851.4
1979 159.6 230.8 274.2 46.9 169.2 155.8 1,036.4
1980 77.3 109.8 90.4 21.9 63.0 32.7 395.1
1981 75.7 87.0 96.3 22.9 52.2 29.6 363.7
1982 130.9 197.1 372.5 122.0 86.0 55.4 963.9
1983 134.8 313.9 237.5 44.1 366.3 99.1 1,195.7
1984 126.8 218.8 140.1 21.7 103.4 41.9 652.6
1985 186.2 292.9 173.8 20.9 177.5 55.8 907.1
1986 188.0 218.8 170.0 36.3 171.3 90.0 874.3
1987 126.8 183.3 123.7 27.7 115.1 63.0 639.6
1988 120.4 126.5 94.1 36.6 41.3 23.4 442.2
1989 101.2 108.4 129.6 36.3 51.6 31.9 459.0
1990 101.2 135.0 135.5 21.7 96.3 48.8 538.5
1991 187.4 210.6 722.3 165.6 228.5 177.1 1,691.5
1992 87.6 101.6 132.5 24.5 135.5 77.4 559.1
1993 237.9 271.5 301.0 47.6 281.1 136.8 1,276.0
1994 248.8 314.5 501.6 74.1 256.5 110.4 1,506.0
1995 122.1 252.7 237.6 77.9 261.8 115.4 1,067.6
1996 227.2 306.0 464.4 82.4 380.1 206.4 1,666.6
1997 158.8 271.8 430.8 86.0 310.4 169.8 1,427.5
1998 158.0 325.7 311.9 73.4 476.2 320.0 1,665.2
1999 201.2 405.6 684.6 47.4 205.5 149.4 1,697.1
2000 124.1 201.5 299.9 52.1 446.5 313.8 1,437.9
2001 70.6 103.4 160.4 23.7 319.5 263.3 940.9
10-year mean 175.3 266.2 408.7 73.1 298.2 177.7 1399.1
Long-term mean 133.0 209.7 257.7 48.7 197.8 121.5 968.5
Percent Change from:
2000 -43% -49% -47% -54% -28% -16% -35%
10-year mean -60% -61% -61% -68% 7% 48% -33%
long-term mean -47% -51% -38% -51% 62% 117% -3%
May ponds 2001 139.7 202.4 378.9 42.0 480.1 292.8 1535.9
Percent change:
May to July 2001 -49% -49% -58% -44% -33% -10% -39%
¹ July ponds are raw counts multiplied by an expansion factor (Table 1) and are not adjusted for visibility bias.
2 May ponds are raw counts multiplied by an expansion factor (Table 1) and are adjusted using a visibility correction factor of 1.13 for strata 30-33
and 0.70 for strata 34-35.
³ Incomplete coverage, not included in long-term mean calculation.
5 5
Table 3. Status of waterfowl brood and late-nesting indices (thousands, unadjusted for visibility bias) by stratum with comparisons against the previous year , the 10-year mean (1990-2000) 1, and the long-term
mean (1955-2000) 2 for Southern Saskatchewan, July 2001.
Percent Change from:
Stratum 2001 2000 10-year Long-term 10-year Long-term
Species 30 31 32 33 34 35 total total mean mean 2000 mean mean
Broods:
Duck brood index 12.9 12.9 28.5 2.0 30.9 9.2 96.4 91.5 82.5 124.2 5% 17% -22%
Average brood size 3 5.5 5.1 5.5 4.3 6.7 5.9 5.5 5.2 5.4 5.2 5% 2% 6%
Coot brood index 5.1 1.2 0.3 0.0 21.9 6.5 34.9 37.3 24.8 27.7 -6% 41% 26%
Late nesting index: 4
Dabblers:
Mallard 2.4 4.1 7.6 1.5 5.3 4.3 25.2 33.2 21.7 27.6 -24% 16% -9%
Am. Black duck
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0% 0% 0%
Gadwall 0.0 0.9 1.9 0.5 0.8 1.4 5.4 9.1 9.2 9.4 -40% -41% -42%
Am. wigeon 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.9 0.7 2.9 2.5 2.9 4.6 16% 0% -36%
Green-winged teal 0.5 0.9 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 3.3 5.9 3.8 3.0 -44% -13% 9%
Blue-winged teal 5
s:
0.5 0.9 2.7 0.0 2.7 1.6 8.3 11.5 11.2 12.2 -28% -26% -32%
N. shoveler 0.2 0.3 0.7 0.0 0.8 0.6 2.5 3.8 2.6 3.7 -34% -3% -33%
N. Pintail 0.7 1.2 3.1 0.0 0.3 0.3 5.5 4.6 3.2 7.0 20% 72% -21%
Subtotal:
iver
4.9 8.5 16.8 2.5 8.0 8.5 53.1 70.6 54.6 67.4 -25% -3% -21%
D
Redhead 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.3 1.1 1.3 1.7 2.3 -15% -35% -51%
Canvasback 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 1.3 0.8 1.3 -89% -80% -88%
Scaups 0.7 1.2 1.1 0.5 0.8 0.1 4.4 4.2 2.7 6.5 3% 64% -33%
Ring-necked duck 0.0 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.5 0.1 1.6 2.9 0.9 0.8 -46% 67% 102%
Goldeneyes 0.0
0.6 0.1 0.0 0.7 0.0 1.4 0.0 0.4 0.2 0% 225% 548%
Bufflehead 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.5 0.5 0.6 -79% 1% -4%
Ruddy duck
0.2 0.9 0.5 0.0 2.7 1.7 6.1 13.6 7.6 6.3 -55% -20% -4%
Subtotal: 1.2 3.8 2.5 0.5 2.3 1.3 15.3 25.9 14.7 17.9 -41% 4% -15%
Miscellaneous:
Oldsquaw 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0% 0% 0%
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0% 0% 0%
Scoters 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0% -100% -100%
Mergansers
0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.1 51% 345% 902%
Subtotal 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.3 51% 248% 163%
Total ducks 6.6 12.6 19.4 3.0 10.2 9.8 69.2 97.1 69.6 85.7 -29% -1% -19%
1 Excludes 1999, data in strata 34-35 was not collected using correct survey methodology.
2 Based on 44 years. Excludes 1962, which had incomplete coverage, and 1999 because of incorrect data collection in strata 34-35.
3 Calculated using only Class II and III broods observed and assumed to be complete.
4 Only observed adult pairs and singles used.
5 Includes cinnamon teal.
Waterfowl Production Survey, 2001 Southern Saskatchewan
6
6
Waterfowl Production Survey, 2001 Southern Saskatchewan
Appendix 1. Long-term trend in waterfowl brood and late-nesting indices (thousands, unadjusted for visibility bias) by species in Southern Saskatchewan, 1955-2001.
Species/Year 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
Broods:
Duck brood index
us:
236.2 368.6
588.7
275.5 103.8
121.0
71.9 28.5 46.2 67.8 46.8 95.9 94.6 77.8 175.0
128.7
180.2
170.2
96.7 148.3
Average brood size 2 6.7 6.0 6.2 4.2 4.1 4.7 4.6 5.5 5.4 5.8 6.0 5.8 5.4 5.0 5.6 5.3 5.2 5.2 4.7 5.0
Coot brood index 18.9 65.0 208.0 21.6 5.9 15.1 5.8 0.0 1.9 9.0 6.8 8.0 11.6 11.9 20.7 22.4 35.6 25.6 21.4 40.6
Late nesting index: 3
Dabblers:
Mallard 90.4 52.3 27.1 49.7 23.6 40.8 5.7 5.9 15.4 10.9 29.8 25.8 14.8 12.4 30.5 65.4 37.0 25.6 33.1 37.2
Am. Black duck
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Gadwall 11.9 9.2 2.1 4.4 1.3 9.7 0.3 1.3 5.8 2.2 13.1 9.5 8.9 4.8 18.9 23.0 10.8 6.2 9.2 16.6
Am. wigeon 10.5 8.9 2.7 7.6 4.4 5.9 0.3 1.3 2.0 0.1 5.5 3.7 4.0 2.1 11.5 24.2 9.0 6.2 5.4 4.4
Green-winged teal 3.0 2.5 0.4 1.4 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 1.6 1.7 1.9 3.2 2.9 11.8 7.4 5.2 4.8 1.0
Blue-winged teal 4 35.3 30.6 6.1 18.5 18.4 12.7 1.0 0.7 5.2 3.8 11.4 13.9 14.3 4.3 14.6 17.5 15.4 9.2 7.7 14.0
N. shoveler
10.6 7.2 1.4 3.8 1.2 3.9 0.4 0.3 1.7 1.1 6.7 2.7 3.6 1.4 6.9 13.2 6.1 1.8 3.8 6.2
N. Pintail 23.9 11.1 3.8 8.6 1.1 3.6 0.8 2.3 4.3 0.8 4.7 6.3 5.4 3.2 19.0 41.1 24.0 8.0 5.0 11.9
Subtotal:e
rs:
185.6
121.7
43.6
93.9
50.3
77.1
8.4 11.8
35.0
19.0
72.8
63.7
52.9
31.3
104.4
196.3
109.8
62.3
69.1
91.2
Div
Redhead 4.2 5.5 0.9 2.4 0.4 1.7 0.0 0.3 1.0 1.1 2.3 2.1 2.8 1.5 2.1 3.5 1.9 2.6 2.1 2.7
Canvasback
5.6 2.6 0.5 1.8 0.9 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.7 0.3 1.1 1.4 0.5 3.9 2.2 1.1 2.7 1.7
Scaups 18.4 11.9 12.3 10.2 3.9 5.2 0.8 0.3 1.9 4.0 2.3 5.1 1.7 1.4 6.8 13.7 8.3 7.4 6.4 6.6
Ring-necked duck
2.4 0.1 0.2 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.9 1.9
Goldeneyes 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0
Bufflehead 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.6 1.6 0.6 0.5 2.1 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.7
Ruddy duck 10.8 9.5 3.0 5.3 3.0 3.9 0.1 0.4 2.7 1.7 2.7 6.3 5.4 3.7 3.5 3.4 12.3 6.7 5.6 10.5
Subtotal: 42.3
29.7
16.8
20.6
9.4 12.0
1.7 0.9 7.2 7.2 9.0 15.6
12.0
8.5 15.1
27.1
25.1
18.3
18.4
24.1
Miscellaneo
Oldsquaw
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scoters 1.7 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0
Mergansers 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Subtotal
1.7 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0
Total ducks 229.6 151.7 60.4 114.7 60.2 89.8 10.0 12.7 43.1 26.3 81.9 79.3 64.9 39.9 119.9 223.4 134.9 80.6 87.8 115.4
1 Incomplete survey coverage.
2 Calculated using only Class II and III broods observed and assumed to be complete.
3 Only observed adult pairs and singles used.
4 Includes cinnamon teal.
7
7
Appendix 1 (continued).
Species/Year 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
Broods:
:
us:
Duck brood index 148.2 169.0 144.6 130.0 107.2 130.6 77.9 63.3 69.5 70.6 94.9 100.9 105.4 74.3 58.4 68.3 58.5 63.2 19.2 87.8
Average brood size2 4.7 4.5 5.2 4.7 5.3 4.6 4.3 4.8 4.5 4.7 5.3 5.7 5.2 4.6 4.7 4.3 5.4 5.1 4.8 6.2
Coot brood index 45.0 46.0 24.8 28.3 34.0 34.2 12.5 15.6 21.6 34.9 54.3 32.9 11.6 6.4 18.9 7.2 29.5 3.8 12.5
Late nesting index3
Dabblers:
Mallard 45.7 40.3 36.1 26.4 51.9 14.2 15.4 34.6 32.1 16.2 20.7 13.3 7.9 5.4 8.9 10.7 23.7 19.6 13.7 19.5
Am. Black duck
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Gadwall 17.6 25.3 20.3 15.6 19.2 4.3 7.2 17.1 8.6 1.1 6.5 6.0 1.3 0.1 1.8 3.4 16.5 10.5 6.3 4.5
Am. wigeon 7.0 6.8 4.9 4.5 8.9 1.0 2.4 6.3 2.8 1.4 2.2 1.7 0.3 1.5 0.8 0.9 5.9 3.7 3.4 2.7
Green-winged teal 4.8 7.4 2.6 2.9 6.9 2.1 2.7 3.1 3.8 1.5 1.8 2.8 0.3 0.8 0.5 1.2 3.0 0.7 0.5 1.9
Blue-winged teal 4 12.1 21.4 22.4 9.3 21.6 8.7 8.9 13.4 14.4 12.2 7.5 9.8 1.6 4.6 2.2 3.3 13.0 6.8 6.6 6.3
N. shoveler
9.4 14.9 4.8 3.0 5.7 1.2 2.7 4.8 4.4 0.1 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.7 0.1 1.1 4.5 1.6 1.1 1.6
N. Pintail 15.2 15.3 13.8 8.1 9.1 4.4 4.1 4.3 4.8 2.7 3.4 1.4 0.7 1.5 0.4 0.8 3.0 3.0 1.3 2.4
Subtotal:e
rs:
111.8
131.4
104.8
69.7
123.4
35.9
43.5
83.7
70.8
35.3
43.7
35.9
12.2
14.5
14.6
21.3
69.6
45.9
33.1
38.9
Div
Redhead 7.1 8.1 4.4 2.9 5.5 3.2 1.5 2.7 3.7 0.6 1.9 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.7 1.4 3.1 0.5 1.3
Canvasback
2.2 2.8 5.7 1.6 2.0 1.0 0.6 0.3 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.6 1.1 0.3
Scaups 10.1 12.4 13.7 11.2 24.6 3.7 5.1 12.4 13.7 8.7 6.5 3.1 2.2 0.6 1.4 1.8 1.5 3.9 1.9 1.8
Ring-necked duck
1.1 1.9 1.2 1.6 3.1 0.8 0.3 1.0 0.9 0.0 1.0 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.5 0.8 0.5
Goldeneyes 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.6 0.3
Bufflehead 1.6 1.8 1.7 0.7 2.1 0.5 0.0 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.3
Ruddy duck 10.6 16.0 9.9 5.4 13.0 2.5 2.7 5.2 13.9 3.5 7.0 6.9 2.3 1.5 1.9 1.4 6.4 7.4 4.2 5.2
Subtotal: 32.7
42.9
36.6
23.6
50.8
11.6
10.4
22.2
35.1
13.8
17.5
11.9
6.2 3.6 3.3 4.9 10.0
17.4
9.5 9.7
Miscellaneo
Oldsquaw
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scoters 1.1 0.0 0.8 1.4 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0
Mergansers 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2
Subtotal 1.1 0.0 0.8 1.6 0.7 1.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2
Total ducks 145.6 174.2 142.3 94.9 174.9 48.6 53.9 106.0 105.9 49.1 61.2 47.9 18.6 18.1 17.9 26.6 79.5 63.3 42.8 48.8
1 Incomplete survey coverage.
2 Calculated using only Class II and III broods observed and assumed to be complete.
3 Only observed adult pairs and singles used.
4 Includes cinnamon teal.
Waterfowl Production Survey, 2001 Southern Saskatchewan
14.8
8
8
Appendix 1 (continued).
Species/Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 19995 2000 2001
Broods:
:
Duck brood index 78.9 129.3
161.3
67.3 82.3
91.5 96.4
Average brood size2 5.6 5.9 5.6 5.5 6.6 5.4 6.3
Coot brood index 6.7 63.5 48.5 19.8 41.5 37.3 34.9
Late nesting index3
Dabblers:
Mallard 11.8 34.0
23.8 26.6 106.8
33.2 25.2
Am. Black duck
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Gadwall 7.5 17.7
5.5 11.1 36.8
9.1 5.4
Am. Wigeon 2.1 4.6 1.7 1.9 3.6 2.5 2.9
Green-winged teal 1.3 10.1 4.2 9.1 16.5 5.9 3.3
Blue-winged teal 4 7.6 31.9
10.2 15.0 37.0 11.5 8.3
N. shoveler 2.4 5.7 1.8 2.4 11.7
3.8 2.5
N. Pintail 3.0 3.8 5.9 4.3 6.6 4.6 5.5
Subtotal: 35.7
107.9
53.0
70.4
219.0
70.6 53.1
Divers:
Redhead 1.5 3.1 1.8 2.7 10.4
1.3 1.1
Canvasback
0.9 0.5 1.3 0.7 0.9 1.3 0.2
Scaups 2.3 4.4 2.0 2.8 7.2 4.2 4.4
Ring-necked duck
1.3 2.1 0.2 0.2 3.8 2.9 1.6
Goldeneyes 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.4
Bufflehead 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.0 2.5 0.5
Ruddy duck 7.1 13.6 9.4 8.0 31.6 13.6 6.1
Subtotal: 13.1
24.8
15.7
15.1
54.2
25.9 15.3
Miscellaneous:
Oldsquaw 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Eiders 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scoters 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
Mergansers 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.8
Subtotal 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.8
Total ducks 48.8 133.0 69.0 86.0 273.6 97.1 69.2
1 Incomplete survey coverage.
2 Calculated using only Class II and III broods observed and assumed to be complete.
3 Only observed adult pairs and singles used.
4 Includes cinnamon teal.
5 Late nesting data for strata 34 and 35 was not collected according to survey methodology, 1999 data are not used in averages or comparisons.
Waterfowl Production Survey, 2001 Southern Saskatchewan
9
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