
235 
WATERFOWL NESTING SEASON ON NATIONAL WATERFOWL REFUGES - 1950 
Richard E. Griffith 
The primary characteristic of the 1950 waterfowl breeding season on the 
national waterfowl refuges was its lateness throughout the country. Late snows and 
freezing weather caused delayed nesting, and subsequent floods destroyed many nests 
The greatest flooding of nests and.nesting habitat occurred on the Mud Lake and Upper 
Mississippi River areas. The wet, cold Spring, however, reduced waterfowl production 
generally throughout the prairie and grain sections of the country. The few exceptions 
were the Arrowwood, Lacreek, Sand Lake, and Upper Souris Refuges. While the season 
was late on these areas, the increased precipitation filled potholes that were dry in 1949 
and made available additional nesting habitat. 
The abnormal weather conditions and their effects on waterfowl breeding are 
reflected in the specific accounts for the refuges, 
Atlantic Flyway 
Blackwater, Maryland The nesting season for blacks, mallards, and blue- 
winged teal was successful. About 15 broods of each were observed and a production, 
of 200 young of each species was estimated. This is a slight increase over the production 
in 1949. 
Bombay Hook, Delaware Species definitely. known to have nested are black, 
mallard, blue-winged teal, and gadwall, with the latter giving heaviest use to Raymond's 
Pool. The first black duck nest was found on April 8 with the peak of the hatch appearing 
in early July, a week later than in 1949. The total production, however, decreased 28 _ 
percent from that of 1949. 
Brigantine, New Jersey Eight broods with 40 young black ducks and one brood 
of 6 wood ducks were observed on the Brigantine area, which is an increase over the 
2 broods of black ducks with 9 young reported for 1949. 
Montezuma, New York Conditions were very favorable for nesting, with every 
small pond having water. There were no extreme fluctuations in water levels that could 
flood nests. Approximately half the nesting habitat was covered in the brood count survey, 
which revealed 32 broods with a total of 208 young. It is estimated, however, that about 
1000 young ducks were produced on the area, Also, 11 broods of coots were observed 
and an estimated 250 young produced. This represented a 67 percent decrease in coots 
over 1949 production. Even the decrease would be appreciable over the 1949 production 
when it is considered that only half the nesting habitat was covered in the 1950 survey. 
The first gadwall nest to ‘be found on the refuge was located this year. It contained 9 
eggs which hatched between July 27 and August 4. 
Central Flyway 
Bowdoin, Montana Snow and freezing weather on June 7-8 caused Canada goose 
nesting Tosses and a reduction in brgod numbers from 175 in 1949 to 92 this season, but 
the total production of young was only 50 less than the 1949 number of 1,400. There was 
a decrease of 71 percent in the number of duck broods, however, and only 28 percent of 
the 1949 number of young produced. On the other hand, the number of coots produced 
was about double the 1949 figures. All goose habitat and 20 percent of the duck nesting 
area were covered in the surveys. «— i, 
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