218 
Number of Areas Surveyed: by State 
Spring Survey Summer Survey 
= = = B 
Connecticut 48 eh 31 8 
Delaware 1 5 5 8 
Maine 8 21. _5 15 
Maryland 12 . oO ~ 10 
Massachusetts 14 13 6 5 
New Hampshire 5 7 39. 18 
New Jersey 8 6 6 10 
New York 17 31 13 30 
Pennsylvania 6 20 6 6 
Rhode Island .4 Tl 2 8 
Vermont 3 2 5 2 
Virginia 0 1 0 0 
West Virginia 0 8 0 3 
A - Surveys made on comparable areas last year 
B - Surveys made on new areas 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The usual unpredictable New England spring weather prevailed. Although 
the average precipitation in the New England States was generally below normal, there 
were many scattered light rains and much cloudy weather giving the impression of 
excessive precipitation. 
Temperatures averaged several degrees (.4 - 4.8) below normal from March. 
to May. Cold predominated until the last of May,’ ‘and the month of June was generally 
warm and sunny. Generally speaking, the average temperature gives little indication 
of actual conditions for there were frequent periods of unusually low temperatures 
interspersed with warm spells of relatively high temperatures. 
The spring run-off followed the usual pattern with floods occurring in only a 
few localities. It was the consensus of opinion that the early rise of water levels had 
little effect on nesting. The breeding season was retarded 10 days or more this year 
and nesting was not well under way prior to the spring freshets. In many sections 
water levels remained relatively high, making detection of broods difficult, 
Nearly all reports from cooperators indicated excellent weather conditions 
for nesting and brood production. 
Breeding Population Trends 
Table 1 lists by species, and for all ducks combined, the percentage increase 
or decrease in breeding pairs and total ducks as reported by cooperators in the north- 
eastern States. Counts were made on definite tracts in the same manner as last year. 
Since the number of areas studied is relatively small, it is possible that the 
percentages given may not be representative in all instances. However, it is believed 
that the increase shown does represent the actual trend, particularly for the black duck. 
Statements from nearly all cooperators indicated an exceptionally good spring population 
with breeding conditions excellent. 
