MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
INDIANA. 
Weather and Water Conditions: ~ The weather during February and March 
was warmer than usual and quite dry, April was cold but the drought condition 
presisted, Little rain fell during the remainder of the production period 
and by the end of June a survey revealed that of 112 potholes which would 
ordinarily contain water at the time of survey, 69 percent were dry. 
e ‘Population Indices: = Breeding pair counts involving seven river 
transects revealed that wood duck remained about the same as in 1952 while 
mallard decreased 73 percent and blee=winged teal increased 22 percente 
Production Indices: = Brood surveys were made on 1/3 miles of river transects 
and 1 pothole study areas. The river transects revealed a decrease in number 
of broods from «75 broods per lineal mile in 1952 to .66 in 1953. ‘The pothole. 
study areas produced 1,13 broods per square mile in 1952 and .83 in 1953, 
Both methods, therefore, indicate that the number of broods produced in 
Indiana will be somewhat less than last year, This may be partially offset, 
however by an increase in the average brood size, The details of the brood 
surveys are presented in the following table: 
PRODUCTION TRENDS ON 13 LINEAR MILES OF RIVER TRANSECTS 
AND 1) POTHOLE STUDY AREAS ~— INDIANA 
No. Broods By Age Class. 

ee 
1952 1953 Total Broods 4... cent 
ee III ITI IIT 1952 1 Change 
Mallard 3 8 2 3 3 13 6 a6 
Black Duck 1 1 3 2 3 
Bl-W, Teal i 1 2 2 2 Same 
Wood Duck 57 39 8 33. «yg 11 10h 93 #1) 
Lesser Scaup 1 1 
Ringneck 1 1 
H. Merganser ; 2 1 1 2 2 
Haot 1 1 
Fiee Gallinule 1 ; 1 
Totals 62 51 11 37 57 19 12h 109 #12 
Conclusions:- The 1953 production of ducks in Indiana will be somewhat less 
an it was in 1952, | 
ig 
