
265 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN THE NORTHEASTERN STATES, 
1955 
Francis B. Schuler 
Introduction 
The waterfowl production information in this report is based on 
the opinions and data of the Fish and Wildlife Service and State personnel and 
private cooperators. It was collected and compiled in the same manner as in 
previous years. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The early spring in New England, central and northern New York, 
and portions of West Virginia was seasonally cold and rainfall slightly above 
normal. Water levels declined gradually through early summer. Floods and 
rising waters were either absent or local in nature. In July the water levels were 
dropping rapidly over much of the area. Sub-normal amounts of rainfall occurred 
from southwestern Connecticut southward to Delaware. Water levels in this area 
were far below seasonal average. The usual high tides occurred in the coastal 
areas. 
Throughout the entire Northeast it was the common opinion that 
the season was approximately two weeks earlier phenolgoically than last year. 
Breeding Population Trends 
Observer reports indicated a breeding population similar to last 
year and in some areas better. They also stated nesting was at least two weeks 
ahead of the 1954 season throughout the Northeast. There was general agreement 
that the nesting’ and rearing seasons were near ideal, with the late drop in water 
levels not seriagusly affecting brood survival. Reports from the coastal areas 
state that due to the early nesting season, the normal high tides occurring in June 
did not seriously affect production since most of the broods were off prior to high 
water. Renesting attempts are reported to be few in number. 
Brood Production | 
The summary of production data from 123 comparable areas is 
shown in Tables I and II. No important change is indicated in the data from last 
year. Increases in the average brood size of the dabblers may reflect the good 
