Northern Manitoba and Northern Saskatchewan: Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey, 2004

摘要

Waterfowl numbers were mixed in northern Saskatchewan and northern Manitoba. Mallard numbers were 18.5% above 2003 values. The procedures followed in conducting this survey are contained in the Standard Operating Procedures for Aerial Breeding Population and Habitat Surveys in North America, Section III, revised 1987. Waterfowl data were collected using an aerial onboard computerized recording system designed to attribute each waterfowl observation with a respective latitude/longitude location. Observations were then logged along with sample details, i.e., strata transects, segments, time, and climatic conditions. This survey system began testing in Alaska during 1996 and has been gradually been implemented in each survey crew area since. During this transition, the Migratory Bird Management Office elected to redesign the sampling of stratum 25. This effort, effective during the 1998 and 1999 surveys, was intended to more appropriately sample the number and distribution of breeding waterfowl across the stratified habitat type. Historically, nine segments were concentrated in the Saskatchewan River delta and were not all oriented on latitude. Data from this stratum was included in the northern Manitoba report. In the new design, all thirty segments have been oriented on latitude with only five segments in the river delta area. There are now a total of five transects evenly distributed throughout the stratum, however, the sampling area is still identical to the historic survey. Direct comparisons of the 1998-2003 and historic data should be made only after evaluating this design change. Beginning with the May 2000 survey, the Migratory Bird Office elected to report Stratum 25 data in the Southern Manitoba Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey report since the southern Manitoba crew typically flies Stratum 25 and collects the data. Historic tables and graphs in this report have been adjusted to accommodate this change.