Evaluation of Aerial Transect Surveys for Wintering American Black Ducks

Abstract

We used an experimental aerial transect survey with stratified random sampling, to estimate the size of the population of wintering black ducks (Anas rubripes) in coastal New Jersey during 2 winters, and the coastal Atlantic Flyway (Me. to S.C.) during 4 years. Population estimates were precise (CV 2 x MWS. Because of the lack of statistical design, precision cannot be estimated. Also, because an attempt is made to survey all waterfowl habitats and species, the results are likely not precise for any 1 species. Our objectives were to design a survey to provide precise estimates of the size of the Atlantic Flyway black duck population during winter, compare our results with those of the MWS during the same periods in terms of ac' Present address: Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.