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streams and on most of the lakes as well. Late March and the first two weeks of 
April produced temperatures that were considerably above average. This period 
was followed by nearly three weeks of cool, wet weather. A few instances of very 
early breeding by black ducks was noted, but on the whole, nesting for all Species 
occurred only slightly earlier than in an average year. 
Heavy rains in late April and again in mid-May caused more nest losses, 
particularly among the black duck, than was the case a year ago. Breeding ducks 
in eastern and central Maine were most seriously affected by the floods. Such 
losses were evident, in part, among nests that were being kept under observation. 
They were even more apparent from the brood study when a number of very late 
hatches of black ducks were recorded. Ring-necked ducks and teal (nesting later 
than blacks) did not appear to be greatly affected by the floods. 
Following the heavy precipitation of April and May, very little rainfall occurred 
during late spring and most of the summer. Water levels dropped very rapidly in 
June and July. This resulted in a deficiency in rearing cover in many of the marshes, 
thus having a further adverse effect on the season's productivity. 
Nesting Success 
A total of 91 nests was found during the nesting study. Aside from one nest of 
‘he American goldeneye, all were of three species: ring-necked duck, black duck, 
and wood duck. Eggs from one ringneck were collected for hatching in an incubator. 
All other nests were kept under observation until hatched or destroyed. 
From the sample of 90 nests, hatching success for all species was 60 percent, 
This is substantially lower than a year ago, and lower than the long-term average. 
Success dropped off sharply for the black duck, being only 52 percent as compared 
with 64 percent in 1952. Ringnecks and wood ducks likewise were less successful 
in nesting this year, 
Flood losses, as a source of nest loss, have already been mentioned. As was 
\ 
the case in 1952, principal losses from predation were by the raccoon and mink. 
Also, as in 1952, crows were only a minor factor. 
The Brood Season 
As would be expected with the increased nest losses that resulted in more 
re-nesting, the brood sizes at hatching were smaller than a year ago. Rearing 
conditions were not as favorable as usual this year, and data on subsequent age 
classes of ducklings were progressively lower. 
There were 134 records of complete broods in 1953 available for comparison, 
These were broken down as follows: Class I - 42 broods, Class II - 62 broods, 
Class III - 30 broods. The average of Class [ broods was 7.1, only a little lower 
than the 7.4 figure of a year ago. Of much greater concern was the big difference 
between the two years in the Class [II broods - those approaching the flying age. 
In 1952 the figure ‘was a record high of 6.1 while this year it dropped to only 4.9. 
The number of Class III broods that was tabulated was practically the same in 
both years. 
