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Aerial Observations versus Ground Observations 
In 1951 and 1952 at Egg Island, after each ground check for broods, aerial 
observations were made over the same transects: These data are presented as 
follows: 
8 broods observed 6/1/51 Ground check 
1 brood observed 6/3/51 Aerial check 
29 broods observed 7/2/51 Ground check 
9 broods observed 7/19/51 Aerial check 
9 broods observed 6/12/52 Ground check 
2 broods observed 6/15/52 Aerial check 
38 broods observed 7/10/52 Ground check 
12 broods observed 7/12/52 Aerial check 
From these data it is evident that approximately three to four times as many 
broods are observed by the ground method of observation. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
In spite of a late spring, the majority of the broods at Tuckahoe were brought 
off during May. At Egg Island, where considerable predation and re-nesting occurs, 
it is difficult to correlate a hatching peak with weather conditions. Apparently the 
bulk of the nests in this area hatched in June, although some females were found 
incubating as late as July 11, 1952. 
The usual high tides occurred during the nesting season and some nesting 
losses werz2 observed on the low Spartina alterniflora marshes along the Atlantic 
Ocean. Nest destruction along the Delaware Bay shore due to high tides was less 
severe. 
Breeding Population Trends 
Based on data gathered by ground and aerial observations at Egg Island, it is 
felt that the over-all waterfowl production on that area increased slightly. Gadwall 
production in 1952 was notably greater than in 1951. 
Although the number of broods produced during 1952 at Tuckahoe was 
comparable to previous years, brood survival was greater. 
While the data recorded in 1951 and 1952 by the aerial transect method are 
not entirely comparable, it is the opinion of the writer that brood production on the 
ditched and unditched strata decreased slightly in 1952. 
Summary 
In summarizing it can be stated that in 1952, production data pertaining to 
waterfowl was obtained by ground census methods on the Egg Island and Tuckahoe 
areas. Over-all production on Egg Island increased slightly in 1952 white production 
on Tuckahoe was comparable to 1951. 
