
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
MINNESOTA 

Weather and Water Conditions - Weather and water conditions during 
May and June were generally poor for waterfowl nesting, Heavy rains caused - 
water levels to rise considerably in many parts of the State, The rains were 
often of cloudburst nature with heavy downpours in short periods of time, 
Undoubtedly, waterfowl pcre suffered heavy losses and delays due to 
adverse conditions, 
Breeding Population Indices - A 27 percent increase in the duck population 
index was recorded, the increases being mainly in the puddle ducks, Divers 
decreased, The coot population remained about the same, a 2,6 pércent 
decrease being recorded, Details of the findings in the prairie section are 
as follows: 
Species 
Indices to Total Breeding Ducks 
Av. Index 
1949-1951 
1952 Index 
Nay 
1953 Index 
Percent Change 
of 1953 Index from 
| Av. (a) 1952 (b} 
Mallard . 20,413 15,956 18, 543 - 9,2 + 16.2 
Pintail 4,744 4,312 5, 606 + 18,2 + 30.0 
B-w. Teal 48,156 35,794 54,769 + 13,7 + 53.0 
G-w. Teal 216 431 3431 + 99,5. same { 
Gadwall 719 431 863 + 20,0 +100,0 
‘Baldpate 1,006 1, 294 2,156 +114, 3 + 66.6 
Shoveler 3, 306 1,725 3,019 - 8.7 + 75,0 
Black Duck 172 - - - - 
Wood Duck 547 173 431 - 21,2 +149.,0 
Total Puddlers 79,279 60,116 —=«B5, 818 + 8,2 + 42,8 
Redhead | 3, 307 3, 881 3, 850 + 16,4 - 0,8 
Canvasback 43 86 431 +902,0 +401.1 
Scaup 4,456 2, 588 2,588 -~ 41.9 same 
Ringneck 8,050 12,506 9,488 + 17.9 - 24.1 
Ruddy Duck 2, 156 863 431 - 80,0 - 50,1 
Goldeneye 633 431 431 - 31.9 same 
Total Divers 18, 645 20, 787 16,819 - 9,8 - 19,1 
Total Ducks 97,924 80,903 102,637 + 4,8 + 26.9 
Coot 35,075 50,025 48,731 + 38.9 + 2.6 
