MICHIGAN 
Data supplied by Edward J. Mikula 
Michigan Department of Conservation 
Weather and habitat conditions 
Winter was relatively mild with pre¬ 
cipitation below normal and temperatures 
above normal. Most southern waters 
were ice-free by early March and those 
in the northern part free of ice by late 
March or early April. As a result of 
these weather conditions, the spring 
waterfowl migration was considerably 
earlier than in 1963. 
Precipitation during April, May, and 
June was below normal over most of the 
State. Near-record low water levels on 
the Great Lakes have markedly reduced 
useable shoreline nesting habitat. Inland 
water habitat appears to be about the same 
as last year. Temperatures during the 
nesting period were normal to above nor¬ 
mal. Weather conditions had no adverse 
effect on nesting and brood production 
this year. 
Breeding population indexes 
The waterfowl breeding population was 
the third highest in 15 years but down 15 
percent from 1964 (table B-58). 
The percentage of mallards, blue- 
winged teal, and mergansers in the breed¬ 
ing population dropped this year, while 
the wood duck, black duck, and ring¬ 
necked duck population increased. 
Production indexes 
The number of broods tallied per lineal 
mile of census route was down 26 percent 
from 1963. Brood size was slightly larger 
but not enough to offset the smaller num¬ 
ber of broods. 
The number of breeding wood ducks 
per lineal mile of census route was below 
that of last year, but was offset by a sig¬ 
nificant increase of wood ducks in the 
total local breeding population. Brood 
size averaged 6.5 young per adult. 
We estimate that State-wide production 
of waterfowl in 1964 was about 10 percent 
lower than in 1963 (table B-59). 
WISCONSIN 
Data supplied by 
Wisconsin Conservation Department 
Weather and habitat conditions 
Wisconsin received spring rains early 
enough to provide breeding habitat over 
most of the State on a level comparable 
to 1963. 
Water levels declined steadily through 
the month of June when hatching was at its 
peak, but rainfall in July was good and 
maintained brood habitat. 
Breeding population indexes 
Slight increases were noted in wood 
ducks. Mallard and blue-winged teal re¬ 
mained at about the same level as 1963. 
Although overall blue-winged teal num¬ 
bers were unchanged, there were notice¬ 
able declines in the northwest and south¬ 
east , where drought has been most sev¬ 
ere (table B-60). 
Utilization of nest boxes by wood ducks 
was about the same as 1963. Of 199 
houses checked, 17 percent were used. 
This compares with 18 pdrcent use of 65 
houses checked in 1963. 
Production indexes 
Production should be unchanged to 
slightly less than that of 1963. The in¬ 
creased breeding population got off to a 
late start in nesting. First mallard 
broods were observed on May 27, about 
2 weeks later than in 1963. Brood sizes 
were smaller than average for the im¬ 
portant species. Late broods will not 
offset the effects of the late season. 
Blue-winged teal production will be 
less than last year, mallards about the 
same, and wood ducks may be slightly 
lower. The observations on all other 
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