246 

Of 289 water sites censused twice during these surveys, 82 percent showed 
no change or more water during the second coverage as compared to the first 
coverage (Table 2). During June and early July above normal precipitation was 
experienced. 
Breeding Population Trends 
The principal breeding ducks in Wisconsin are the blue-winged teal, wood 
duck, mallard, black duck, and ring-necked. The mallard and ring-necked did not 
demonstrate any change in breeding pairs in 1954 as compared to 1953, the blue- 
winged teal and black duck decreased only slightly, and the wood duck showed a fair 
increase (Table 3). The coot or mud hen showed an increase over 1953 in the total 
numbers present on the study areas. 
Each year since 1951, the percent of water sites surveyed that were occupied 
by ducks during the breeding pair survey has increased. In 1951, 55 percent were 
occupied, while this year 64 percent held birds. The number of breeding pairs of 
ducks observed per acre this year, was about the same as in 1953. The indication 
is that the breeding duck population did not increase in size over 1953, but that the 
breeding ducks utilized a greater share of the more permanent water sites which are 
covered by our surveys. 
Of the flocked birds observed this year, a greater percent was made up of 
female ducks than in any year since 1951. The implication is that due to the heavy 
rains of late April, someof the birds did not breed, or they did not renest after 
nest destruction took place. 
Production Trends 
Complete counts on 123 broods gave an average of 7.0 ducklings per brood. 
An estimated total 626 pairs of breeding ducks produced 148 broods. Therefore, 
626 pairs of ducks produced an estimated total of 1036 ducklings. Indicated known 
minimum duck production in Wisconsin during 1954 was1.65 young per adult breeding 
pair. 
Data on the average brood size of each species are summarized in Table 4. 
Table 5 summarizes the breeding pair and production trends for the period 1951- 
1954, 
Comfirmed records of free-flying Canada geese breeding in Wisconsin were 
grouped around areas where the birds have been found nesting successfully in 
previous years. Goslings were produced at the Suamico Game Sanctuary and the Bay 
Beach Wildlife Refuge (both in Brown county), the Horicon Marsh and water areas 
in the vicinity of the marsh (Dodge county), Lake Maria (Green Lake county), and the 
Central Wisconsin Conservation Area (Jackson and Juneau counties). Reports were 
also received indicating the presence of adult Canadas after June 1 in Adams, Brown, 
Jefferson, Lincoln, and Wood counties. It is doubtful if any of these birds nested 
successfully. 
