Ground Brood Counts to Estimate Waterfowl Populations in BLM’s Kobuk District, Alaska: 1992 Progress Report

Between July 21 and July 28, 1992, the Kobuk District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)conducted waterfowl brood surveys in two production areas on the Seward Peninsula in Alaska. McCarthys Marsh, in the Fish River Flats, was surveyed for the fourth consecutive year. Wetlands along the upper Kuzitrin River were surveyed for the second consecutive year. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select survey plots. Thirty 2.6 km² plots were surveyed, 15 in McCarthys Marsh and 15 in the Kuzitrin River. Estimated production in McCarthys Marsh was 4691 ± 516 young ducks, or 11.72 young/km². Estimated production in the Kuzitrin River wetlands was 3992±559 young ducks, or 8.44 young/km².