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The following tabulation gives the 1950 census figures for the six breeding 
species of ducks - excluding mergansers;: 
Species Status in 1950 
Blue-winged teal , 50% increase 
Black duck 7% increase 
Wood duck 6% increase 
Ring-necked duck 1% increase 
Green-winged teal No change 
American golden-eye 10% decrease 
A breakdown of census data, by areas, is presented in Table 1 for the two 
most numerous species - the black duck and the ring-necked duck. The data are given 
for five years because they show the trend from the 1946 low point. 
The Nesting Season 
The spring season was somewhat retarded from the average in Maine this year 
and greatly retarded from 1949. The break-up of ice in the principal waterfowl breeding 
areas of the State took place from 6 to 15 days later than a year ago, and the migration, 
as well as nesting, was correspondingly later. This fact proved to be very desirable, 
however, for heavy floods occurred from April 21-23 which, under normal conditions, 
would have caused serious nesting losses to black ducks. As it was, very few ducks had 
started to nest at the time of the flood. Therefore the only noticeable effect of the spring 
climatic conditions was a retarded nesting season for the early breeding species -- 
black ducks, wood ducks, and golden-eyes. The late breeding birds (ringnecks and the 
two teal) nested at nearly average times. 
Following the April flood precipitation was light and the water levels remained 
good throughout the entire brood season. 
As would be expected, hatching peaks were much later than a year ago. For 
black ducks this peak appeared to be about June 12 - 2 1/2 weeks later than in 1949 
and a week later than in 1948. The heaviest hatching of wood ducks occurred about 
June 18 - 21/2 weeks later than in 1949 and about 10 days later than in 1948. By 
contrast, the normally late nesting ring-necked ducks reached their hatching peak at 
approximately June 30 - only 5 days later than in 1949 and actually 2 days earlier than 
in 1948. 
During the sample nesting study, a total of 92 nests was located; 85 of these 
were of 3 species - ring-necked duck, black duck, and wood duck. 
Periodic checks were kept of 89 of the nests until hatched or destroyed. 
Hatching success was 74 percent (66 nests). This represents the highest hatching 
rate recorded at any time during the 14 years of the Unit's waterfowl program. 
Flood losses were of little significance, accounting for only 3 of the 23 nest 
losses and were all confined to one marsh in eastern Maine. Predation was lighter 
than a year ago and was caused primarily by the mink, raccoon, and crow. Few losses 
occurred from the activity of the red fox this year, in contrast to the situation of 1949. 
The Brood Season 
Apparently because of the much later hatching this year, as well as the slightly 
higher water levels that prevailed, fewer complete broods were located during the time 
available for study. A total of 176 broods, where complete counts were believed made, 
were classified on an age basis. The average size of 46 Class 111 broods (young at or 
