204 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN MINNESOTA 
Forrest B. Lee, et al * 
Spring Migration, Weather, and Water Conditions 
The month of March was mild, especially after March 9 when above freezing 
temperatures were commonly recorded over most of the State. Mallards were 
reported in southern Minnesota on March 15 and by March 24 numerous reports had 
been received of migrating waterfowl and other birds. April was considerably cooler 
and wetter than usual, and the spring migration seemed to be slowed down somewhat 
after its early start. The peak of the migration in central Minnesota was about 
April 15. A reconnaissance of southcentral counties was made on April 29, and 
pairs and small groups of blue-winged teal were common on the potholes. 
Tie period of May 1 to May 8 was sunny and warm and was followed by general 
rains from May 9 to May 13. These rains were quite heavy and over an inch of 
precipitation was measured at weather bureau stations distributed over most sections 
of the State. In the northwest corner of the State there was less rainfall comparatively, 
however, the temperatures were low enough to freeze-over the potholes on several 
nights. These rains account in part for the large increase in the number of water 
areas tallied on the auto transects. 
Heavy rains fell from May 19 to May 21. These rains were quite general but 
the northeast one-third of the State was hit hardest. The rain came down in cloudburst 
proportions and water was over the highways in some areas, Following are examples 
of weather bureau stations reporting over an inch of rainfall in a day: Detroit Lakes, 
2.01 inches; Little Falls, 1.22 inches; Cloquet, 2.05 inches; Cambridge, 3.20 inches; 
Waseca, 1.28 inches. 
Heavy rains fell in the northeastern part of the State on May 28 and 29 and a 
daily rainfall of over two inches was measured at several stations, 
On June 7 and 8 a torrential downpour of up to six inches fell in several southern 
Minnesota counties, flooding much farmland, Tornadic winds accompanied the storm 
and buildings were blown down in some areas. This rainfall was fairly general over 
the State, totaling more than an inch at several other points including the Twin Cities, 
Fergus Falls, and Albert Lea. 
a Migration, breeding population, and brood data summarized in this report were 
gathered by area game biologists of the Minnesota Division of Game and Fish: Areal, 
Milton H. Stenlund; Area II, Vernon E. Gunvalson; Area llI, Lester T. Magnus, 
Roseau; AreaIV, Robert E. Farmes; Thief River Falls; Area V, Norman J. Ordal, 
Fergus Falls; Area VI, John L. Zorichak, Brainerd; Area VII, Walter H. Petraborg, 
Aitkin; Area VIII, -Forrest B. Lee, St. Paul; Area IX, Robert I. Benson, Glenwood; 
Area X, Gerald T. Bue, Marshall; Area XI, Donald H. Ledin, Fairmont; and Area 
XII, William H. Longley, Kasson. Clare L. Johnson and members of his duck lake 
survey crew gave valuable assistance in brood counts. . 
