
207 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN MINNESOTA, 1955 
Forrest B. Lee et al 
Introduction 
Migration, breeding population, and brood data summarized in this 
report were pathered by area game biologists of the Minnesota Division of Game 
and Fish: Areal, Milton H. Stenlung; Area II, Vernon E. Gunvalson; Area III, 
Lester T. Magnus, Roseau; Area lV, 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 Il. Benson, Glenwood; Area X, Gerald T. Bue, Marshall, 
Area XI, Maynard M. Nelson, Fairmont; and Area XII, William H. Longley, 
Kasson. John R. Tester gave valuable assistance in all phases of the waterfowl 
program. | 
Weather and Water Conditions 
In past springs observations of mallards and pintails have been reported 
for southwestern Minnesota during late February. This year no such reports 
were received and this is not surprising since wintry weather prevailed over the 
State during the last eight days of the month and this cold spell continued for the 
period of March 1 to 7. 
The period March 8 - 14 was characterized by mild weather in the 
southern half of the State and moderate weather in the north. On March 10a 
maximum temperature of 53° F. and a minimum temperature of 33° F. were re- 
corded at Fairmont. At Roseau in the north, the maximum temperature was 38° F. 
and the minimum temperature was 15° F. on March 9. On March 10 a trace of 
standing snow was reported at Fairmont, and at International Falls 20 inches of 
standing snow was measured, Much of the standing snow in southern Minnesota 
melted.during the warm spell of March 8 - 14. However, there was a scarcity 
of standing water in the fields due to the dry conditions of the previous fall. 
The mild weather of March 8 - 14 was accompanied by an influx of 
waterfowl into the southern half of Minnesota. On March 8, area game biologist 
Maynard M. Nelson received reports of mallards arriving at Walnut Lake, 
Faribault County. Mr. Nelson made an aerial survey of Walnut Lake on March 18. 
A total of 16,000 waterfowl was counted. Mr. Nelson estimated that 85 percent 
were mallards and 10 percent were pintails. 
Area game biologist Robert I. Benson observed that Canada geese 
moved into Big Stone Lake and Lake Traverse on March 10. He also noted that 
these geese stayed there for at least two weeks weathering out the cold stormy 
weather that prevailed March 15 - 28. In general, the migration of ducks and geese 
up into Minnesota seemed to be held up by the inclement weather of March 15 - 28. 
