252 
Percent Dabblers Divers Geese All Species 
Opinions on numbers More 67 76 68 70 
compared to the spring Same 24 18 27 23 
of 1950. Fewer 9 6 5 7 
Observations by sixteen District Game Biologists checking sample areas 
support the opinions of these selected observers. A summary of the District 
Game Biologists’ observations indicate that 55 percent of the sample areas had 
more waterfowl, 31 percent showed little change, and 13 percent had fewer 
migrants as compared to the previous year. 
Aerial censuses of spring migrants on three major concentration areas, 
Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie showed no appreciable change in 
numbers compared to 1951. Although the "'count-estimates'' on these three areas 
do not support the more optimistic observations from other parts of the State, it 
should be noted that accelerated migration this spring reduced the chances for 
large build-ups of waterfowl at these major concentration points. One particular 
species that has shown a marked increase in numbers during the spring migration 
in recent years is the whistling swan. 
Potential Breeding Population Surveys 
Aerial censuses on two sample check areas were repeated for the fifth 
consecutive year to provide a comparison of the potential nesting population of 
southern Michigan farm land habitat. One area is in Barry County; the other 
extends through parts of Ingham, Livingston, and Oakland Counties. The Barry 
County area figure is comparable to that of 1950, but lower than in 1951. The 
other sample check area showed an increase over the past four years. 
(Aerial Surveys) 
Ducks per Lineal Mile Ducks per Lineal Mile - Ingham, 
Year Barry County * Livingston, and Oakland Counties** 
1948 0.10 0.55 
1949 0.37 0.68 
1950 0.16 0.79 
1951 0.21 . 0.78 
1952 0.16 1,00 

* A total of 300 lineal miles censused. 
** A total of 72 lineal miles censused. 
Only locally nesting species are included in the potential nesting population. 
Diving ducks not known to nest in this area were excluded. 
The potential breeding population figures shown above may be converted to 
birds per square mile by multiplying by 2, as each lineal census strip was one-half 
mile in width, one-quarter mile on each side of the plane, 
Ground checks made by District Game Biologists, on sample check areas, 
scattered throughout the State showed a high population of breeding pairs. These 
