108 
Waterfowl Population - During the latter part of April and May the breeding 
population was determined by weekly inspections of all ponds in the area and 
territorial pairs noted. 
Production was determined by two brood counts, the first on June 24 and 
the second on August 7. These counts were summed for total production. The 
number of broods for the count in June was determined mainly by counting the 
feigning females. Water levels had receded considerably and grass cover was 
very heavy, some ponds being entirely overgrown, thus making it impossible to 
accurately count the broods. Conditions were different for the August count. Only 
six water bodies remained and each was of sufficient depth to contain some open 
water. The marshy areas were tramped out and the broods driven to open water 
where an accurate count was possible. It is reasonably certain that all broods in 
the area on the above dates were counted. 
Few ducks other than breeding pairs and broods were found on the area. 
On June 24 a flock of seven mallard drakes was seen and on August 7 a flock of 
five mallards, the latter were juvenile. 
There was nothing to indicate that brood movement within or in and out 
of the area had or had not occurred. The ponds supporting broods all had. 
territorial pairs of the species concerned during the spring. | 
No information was obtained on nesting or brood losses. No destroyed 
nests were found and no signs of predation on broods were noted. It is expected 
little renesting occurred on the area as most of the ponds were dry by the end of 
June. There is a very good 40-acre marsh within 1 mile of the study area which 
may have attracted many of the renesters, which may account for the low success 
of the blue-winged teal. 
Crows were very numerous in the area, 5 pairs nested in the 2-square — 
miles. Other predators in the area were the magpie, owl, hawk, skunk and 
weasel. . 



Table VI - Breeding Population and Production ~- Southey Study Area 
5 ' Breeding Population Brood Counts 
penn May 22 June 24 August 7 Total 
Mallard 13 3 20 5 
Pintail 6 2 - 2 
Gadwall 1 ~ l 1 
Baldpate 3 1 1 2 
Shoveler 2 1 - 1 
Blue-winged teal 7 - 1 1 
Green-winged teal 2 2 - 2 
Lesser scaup 2 - - - 
Canvasback l - - - 
Redhead 1 - ~ - 
Total 38 9." 5 14 
Pairs per square mile 19 4.5 2.5 7.0 
