
221 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN MAINE ~- 1950 
Howard L. Mendall 
For several years, as part of its general proor ‘ : 
Wildlife Research Unit has conducted a Hie Wietoey andl Sia eae a an 
important game ducks breeding in the State. In the order of their abundance these 
species are: black duck, ring-necked duck, wood duck *, American adlilen' eye blue- 
winged teal, and gréen-winged teal. Of these ducks only the first four meniienad are 
common residents. The two teal are scattered throughout the State but nowhere are 
present in appreciable numbers. Therefore, census data relative to teal in Maine have 
little practical significance. 
The following report summarizes the results of the 1950 breeding studies, 
and covers the period from April to late September. The writer was assisted on this 
project by the following staff members: D. A. Benson, M. W. Coulter, F. T. Haseltine 
J. W. Peppard, and J. D. Rearden. : 
Coverage and Techniques 
Coverage in 1950 was identical to that of 1949. The study areas on which 
data were obtained are indicated on Figure 1. For a general description of waterfowl 
breeding habitat in Maine the reader is referred to the 1948 report. 
Techniques of. study remained relatively unchanged from those of the past few 
years. These are: 
1. A count of territorial males and pairs prior to and during the early 
stages of nesting. These counts are made by boat or on foot. 
2. A sample nesting study. 
3. Population and brood checks carried out several times on each area from 
June through August. These counts are likewise made by boat or on foot. (This year, 
on some of the areas it was possible to carry out these checks through most of September). 
L 
Breeding Populations - 1950 
When final census data were compiled it was found that the population of breeding 
ducks in Maine had shown an increase for the fourth consecutive year. The heavy gain for 
the blue-winged teal must be interpreted in the light of a small sample, but was gratifying 
nevertheless, Of much greater significance was a 7 percent increase in the black duck. 
The fact that this species showed an increase for the fourth consecutive season was 
especially encouraging. Likewise, of considerable interest was the gain made by the 
wood duck this year, and which followed the very heavy increase (52 percent) of 1949. 
Wood ducks now appear to be making a very satisfactory recovery from their alarming 
scarcity of the period 1945 - 1947. 
The only pessimistic aspect of the 1950 census data occurred with the American 
golden-eye. The slight gain made by the species in 1949 was more than offset by a 10 
percent decrease this year. Breeding golden-eyes now appear to be at the lowest level 
in the State that they have reached at any time during the past 14 years. 
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* In contrast to listings of previous years, it appears that the wood duck replaced 
the golden-eye in 1950 as third species. 
