IOWA 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
Following a mild winter early migrants were moving into and through 
Iowa during the second week in March. Scaup and ring-necked duck were | 
numerous in early April. A large migratory build-up of blue-winged teal 
developed during the third week in April, while laggard blue-wings, scaup, and 
Sshovelers remained in northwestern Iowa during early May. A warm spring 
hastened migration into and through this State. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
Special emphasis has been placed upon the study of the wood duck because 
it has again become an important nester during the last fifteen years, and Iowa's 
contribution to the over-all production of this species is important within the 
flyway. In 1954 and 1955 both stream survey data and wood duck nesting box 
checks indicated reduced breeding populations of wood ducks within the State. 
(Tables 1 and 2). 
Table 1 - Wood Duck Stream Survey Data 
Survey Rte.No. & Wood Ducks Counted 
Miles Censused Male Females Pairs Unidentified Total Date of Census 
1. 8 miles a 1 - 4 5 5/9/53 
moot 1 l _ 2 5/11/54 
moon A, = = * 0 5/12/55 
2. 7 miles - - - 4 4 5/11/53 
Rte. abandoned in 1954 because of stream channel straightened . 3 
3. 7 miles 1. - 2 _ 5 5/11/54 
otk - - - - 0 5/12/55 
4, 11 miles 3 2 6 - 17 5/13/53 
moon 2 2 - 2 6 5/6/54 
mon c d ‘ i 0 5/12/55 
5, 13 miles ‘ 2 7 3 - 7 5/14/53 
" tt ] ] - - 2 5/13/54 
ht ee ) - - - 1 5/13/55 
6. 12 miles route established in 1954 
" t 3 = ue ] . 4. 5/10/54 
nO a = - _ 0 5/19/55 
Continued 
70 
