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For mallards the peak was the week of June 7 to 13 and durinp this 
period approximately 39 percent of the aged mallard broods were hatched. Mallard 
brood data for 1953 indicate that the greatest number of broods to hatch in a weekly 
period was approximately 17 percent for the week of May 31 to June 6. These data 
illustrate how it is possible to observe in a given weekly period twice as many 
broods of a species as were seen during any period of similar length in another year. 
Such an observation may lead the lay observer to speculate about big increases in 
waterfowl when actually there is no or little change at all. 
The peak period of hatching for blue-winged teal was during the week 
of May 31 to June 6. The peak period of hatching in 1953 was June 21 to June 27 
for this species. 
Three brood counts were made on 10 auto transect routes and individual 
water areas in six game management areas both in 1953 and 1955. A direct compari- 
son is possible since the data was handled the same in both years and broods were 
eliminated when hatching dates indicated they could have been recorded on a previous 
count. 
A total of 193 broods were calculated for all 10 areas or transects in 
1955, compared with 223 broods in 1953. Increases were noted at Black Duck Lake, 
Beltrami County, Rice Lake, Steele County, and on the Douglas County auto transect. 
For the remaining seven locations the number of broods showed some decrease. 
A comparison was made of the abundance of the various species on 
these 10 check areas, Mallards showed a slight increase and baldpates were more 
abundant. The number of blue-winged teal broods was about the same, however, 
several of the check areas had fewer of this species. There was a definite reduction 
in the number of ringneck, ruddy duck and redhead broods. 
Our brood counts are most valuable as a source of information for brood 
size, age class distribution, periods of hatch and general brood conditions. The 
counts, however, have shortcomings for indicating changes in over-all production in 
the various habitat types of the State. An aerial brood survey similar to the spring 
breeding pair count might furnish quantitative information on waterfowl production. 
Aerial Resident Waterfowl Count 
The aerial resident waterfowl count was flown from August 16 to 19. 
The Bureau of Game Cessna 180 was used with Forrest Lee observing and Donald 
Ledin piloting. The transects of this census cover the principal duck producing 
area of Minnesota. The purpose of the census is to give data on the resident duck 
population of the State at the end of the brood season. 
