216 
Results of Breeding Ground and Production Surveys 
In 1951, 55 percent of the water sites sampled were occupied by some duck 
species or coots during the breeding ground survey. In 1952, 57 percent was 
occupied, while this year 59 percent was occupied. 
A greater percent of flocked female ducks was observed this year as compared 
to last year, indicating that some of the birds did not breed successfully. (Table V). 
This can no doubt be related to the cold wet weather of early April when the birds 
were starting their breeding activities. 
Phenologically, the 1953 duck hatch was similar to that of 1952. The peak of 
the duck hatch occurred prior to July 10 this year, and also last year. 
Data on the average brood size of each species are summarized in Table lV. 
Table V shows that the average 1953 brood size of 7.0 is 6 percent greater than the 
6.6 obtained in 1952. 
Confirmed records of free-flying Canada geese breeding in Wisconsin were 
centered about areas where the birds have been found nesting successfully in previous 
years, Goslings were produced at the Suamico Game Sanctuary and the Bay Beach 
Wildlife Refuge (both in Brown County), the Horicon Marsh, Beaver Dam Lake, and 
near Lowell (all in Dodge County), the Brodhead Public Hunting Ground (Green County), 
the Central Wisconsin Conservation Area (Jackson County), the Necedah National 
Wildlife Refuge, the Sprague-Mather Refuge, the Wisconsin River, and the Central 
Wisconsin Conservation Area (all in Juneau County), the Manitowoc River (Manitowoc 
County), and the Wood County Public Hunting Grounds (Wood County). Reports were 
also received indicating the presence of adult Canada geese after June 1 in Dane, 
Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Oconto, Oneida, Walworth and Winnebago 
Counties. It is doubtful if any of these birds nested successfully. 
Table V. - Comparison of Wisconsin Waterfowl Breeding Survey Figures, 1951-1953 

1951 1952 1953 
Pairs Per Acre . 078 .092 . 180 
Indicated Change (Percent) - + 18 + 96 
Percent Female of Total Flocked 
Birds 16 19 27 
Young per Breeding Pair 1. 46 2.58 2.35 
Indicated Change (Percent) - + 77 - 9 
Average Brood Size 6.5 6.6 7.0 
Indicated Change (Percent) - +2 4 6 
Summary 
The spring waterfowl migration arrived in Wisconsin rather early and departed 
during the last 10 days of April. An abundance of temporary water areas in the spring 
was due to the above normal precipitation experienced during the first 4 months of 
1953, 
