
250 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY - MICHIGAN, 1954 
Herbert J. Miller 
Introduction 
This report summarizes the information obtained on waterfowl production in 
Michigan in 1954, 
During the past six years, personnel of the Michigan Department of Conserva- 
tion have carried on various types of surveys to appraise waterfowl production within 
the State. 
Comparatively, Michigan has a low nesting population that is difficult to 
census. Dense cover and extensive forested areas dotted with permanent lakes, 
swales, and beaver ponds, and traversed by a multitude of streams, typify the habitat 
to be censused. In such areas breeding birds are scattered and are difficult to locate. 
Experience has demonstrated that under these conditions there are limitations to the 
accurate determination of waterfowl production. In view of these limitations, efforts 
were extended to obtain comparative indices through three types of surveys: 
1. Brood censuses 
2. Spring migration observations 
3. Potential breeding population surveys 
Methods Used in Sampling 
Ground checks on sample areas, together with aerial censuses to provide 
more extensive coverage, have been employed for each one of the above mentioned 
types of surveys. Approved conventional methods of censusing were used for both 
the ground and aerial surveys. 
Ground surveys to provide an index to the breeding population from year to 
year have been standard as to method and coverage. Coverage by aerial surveys to 
determine breeding populations and the success of the broods has been altered. 
Aerial censuses were first tried on special study areas with limited success and were 
discontinued. In 1952 and 1953, transects were flown across the State in accordance 
with a systematic sampling design to provide random data that could be treated 
Statistically. 
This year, aerial coverage for determining potential breeding populations was 
reduced to segments of two transects previously flown in the south central part of the 
State. 
Although changes have been made in aerial coverage, comparative data for 
1952, 1953 and 1954 are available. 
