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WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN THE 
COLLIERS MILLS-SUCCESS LAKE AREA - NEW JERSEY 
Paul D. McLain 
Methods of Sampling and Area Covered 
The Colliers Mills-Success Lake Area is located in Ocean County, about 
4 miles east of New Egypt and about 20 air-miles west of the northern end of 
Barnegat Bay. The vegetation in the area is predominantly pitch pine (Pinus 
rigida) and oaks (Quercus sp.) in the Lakewood Sand section of the Coastal Plain, 
The Colliers Mills -Success Lake area, a public shooting ground, consists of about 
5,500 acres on which there are 18 lakes and ponds having a total water area of 
about 320 acres, 
The breeding ground survey began in 1951 when the ponds were placed under 
an experimental management program in an effort to produce waterfowl and other 
wildlife foods in the ponds by employing the principles of the complete and partial 
draw down management techniques. Secondly, it was hoped that this management 
would create needed nesting cover, and thereby render the area more attractive to 
waterfowl for nesting. 
During 1951, two weekly surveys were made on all 18 lakes and ponds and 
several of the ponds were visited daily. Due to the dense cover in the form of 
brush and standing trees in the ponds, it was difficult to observe the broods and to 
make a complete brood count. During 1952 the areas were again surveyed, using 
the same technique as in 1951. Table I relates the species, number of broods, and 
the average brood sizes observed during 1951 and 1952. 
Success of the Season 
Table I - Summary of Waterfowl Production Data Obtained at the Colliers Mills- 
Success Area, Ocean County, during 1951 and 1952 

1951 1952 
‘No. of Broods Average No. of Broods Average 
Species Observed Brood Size Observed ° Brood Size 
Black duck 2 5.0 4 4,7 
Wood duck 6 55 3 4.3 
Mallard - - 1 4.0 

The increase in the number of black duck (Anas rubripes) broods during 1952 
can probably be attributed partially to the experimental management program, since 
all four broods were located in the ponds operated on the draw down principle during 
1951. Previous to 1951 the ponds were maintained at a maximum depth of about 
4 feet of water. By holding the ponds at this depth the water was forced into the 
pine -oak association and there were relatively no grassy edges or other suitable 
cover for nesting. In addition, the ponds became invaded with white water lily 
(Nymphaea odorata) and bladderwort (Utricularia sp.) and there was little waterfowl 
food available to attract and hold ducks during the nesting season. 
