
239 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN INDIANA - 1955 
Dale N. Martin 
Introduction 
This is the seventh consecutive year Indiana has cooperated with the 
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in conducting a waterfowl breeding ground survey. 
With minor exceptions, ali data obtained prior to June 30 were collected by former 
Study Leader James D. McCall. The portion of the 1955 breeding ground survey included 
in this report is confined to wood duck brood production on 143 miles of stream 
transects, and to water conditions in the pothole nesting habitat in northern Indiana. 
Brood census techniques have been essentially the same for the past three years 
and have been described in the 1953 report, 
In total, 91 wood duck nesting boxes have been inspected for usage. 
The study leader was assisted at various times by conservation officers 
and Pittman-Robertson personnel. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Average spring temperatures in 1955 were erratic; February tempera- 
tures were cold during the first half and unseasonably warm during the second, 
while March was the reverse of temperatures in February. April temperatures 
were far above normal; May above normal; and June though not excessively so, was 
the coldest June in many years. 
River stages during May and June were slightly above normal to normal 
throughout the State except for the mid-June flood stage in the Iroquois River 
watershed. 
April and May precipitation in the lake and pothole region in northern 
Indiana was one-half to one and one-half inches below normal. This deficiency was 
not considered detrimental to brood production, however, as unprecedented rains 
of October 1954, and near normal precipitation in the winter months, had left our 
brooding habitat in good condition. By July 1, some of the wetland areas were | 
beginning to show the effects of deficient rainfall, but general and frequent rains 
between July 5 and 15 restored them to normal levels, 
Eighteen wetland study areas were inspected for water levels between 
July 5 and 15 and were considerably improved over conditions found one year ago. 
Of the sixteen areas considered potential brooding areas, and normally expected 
to have sufficient surface water at this time of year, five were above normal, nine 
at normal levels, and two below normal, None of these were dry. Of 17 areas 
inspected one year ago, none was found to be above normal, seven were at normal 
levels, five below normal, and five were dry. 
