249 
An increase was shown in the number of pairs per Square mile and in the total 
number of ducks per square mile, The number of pairs per square mile was 
1.2 compared with .61 and the number of ducks per square mile was 2.25 
compared with 1.27 in 1951. A substantial increase was noted for coots on the 
transect routes, 219 were tallied compared with 32 in 1951. Brood counts were 
made on Hawk's Nest Lake, Lincoln County; Wood Lake, Lyon County; and Badger 
and Iron Lakes, Murray County, Data on 39 Class "A" broods give an average of 
8.3 young per brood. The 1951 average was 7.6 and in 1950 it was 7.6. More 
broods than last year were found on Hawk's Nest Lake and at Wood Lake; the 
number of broods was essentially the same. The age class distribution of 49 broods 
observed from July 1 to July 9 is as follows: Class I, 15; Class II, 21; Class III, 
13. This distribution would indicate that hatching began early and continued 
uniformly up to the time of the brood counts. In regard to broods, redheads were 
definitely more numerous again this year. Mallards were slightly less abundant. 
Blue-winged teal were not more abundant than last year and may have been down 
slightly. Pintails were about as numerous as in previous years. Coots were 
definitely more abundant this year, young being seen in good numbers all over the 
area. Water levels were high this year and the adult population appeared to be 
larger than last season. Many of the small water areas were occupied this year 
which were not used last year or the year before. The population on the main 
bodies of water was as large as or larger than the past two seasons, too, Soa 
considerably greater production was anticipated for Area X. 
Area XI - Donald H. Ledin, Fairmont - Ground transects totaling 210 miles were 
run in Area XI. This year there were 3.1 water areas per square mile compared 
with 2.8 in 1951. Occupancy was 17.1 percent compared with 12.1 percent. Pairs 
per Square mile were 1.28 compared with .44 last year. Ducks per square mile 
were 1.56 compared with .61 last spring. An increase was noted in the number of 
coots tallied; 27 were recorded compared with 12 last.year. Brood counts were 
made on Swan Lake, Nicollet County; Silver Lake, LeSueur County; Walnut Lake 
Area, Faribault County; Lower Twin Lake and Upper Twin Lake, Freeborn County. 
Data on 25 Class "A" broods give an average brood size of 7.4 compared with 8.5 
last year and 8.1 in 1950. Most broods were quite young, the age class distribution 
being as follows: Class I, 13 broods; Class II, 9 broods; Class III, 3 broods. The 
Class III broods averaged 10.7 young. The Class II average was 7.1, and for 
Class lit was 6.8. The rather small brood size average for Class I broods might 
indicate that some loss was inflicted by the storms of late June and early July. 
Area XII - William H. Longley, Kasson - Ground transects totaling 100 miles 
were run in Rice and Steele Counties, There were 4,7 water areas this year 
compared with 3.4 last spring. An increase is noted in the number of pairs per 
Square mile which was 1,72 compared with 1. 12 in 1951 and 1.2 in 1950. A greater 
increase is shown by the ducks per square mile figure which was 3.16 this year and 
1.76 for both 1950 and 1951. Forty-seven coots were counted along the route 
compared with none last year and 23 in 1950, Brood counts were made on Rice Lake, 
Dodge County; Oak Glen Lake, Steele County; and the Weaver Marshes and Whitewater 
Springs, Wabasha County. Nine broods were seen on Oak Glen Lake compared with 
14 last year. Some adult and paired ducks were on this lake. High water persisted 
up to June in the Weaver Marshes and Whitewater Springs area, covering some of the 
This may have caused some waterfowl to leave the area or may 
The Class "A" broods observed on these counts were large, 
The 1951 average was 8 and for 1950 is was 7.6. 
better shoreline. 
have delayed nesting. 
averaging 10.1 young per brood. 
