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Weather and Water Conditions 
Weather conditions and water levels generally have not been conducive to 
nesting. 
Low temperatures, snow squalls and heavy rains may have reduced this 
year's production. The U. S. Weather Bureau reports April as the fifth wettest 
April in Michigan since records began in 1887. May was the second snowiest, 
seventh coolest, and would have been the driest if general rain had not occurred on 
the last day of the month. Rain storms continued throughout June with the heaviest 
precipitation occurring in the north and central portions of the State. As much as 
nine inches of rain was recorded at some locations. 
The waterfilled swales and ponds resulting from heavy precipitation may 
have encouraged wide dispersal of the broods, which may have an influence on the 
interpretation of the results of brood surveys, 
Although we have no measure of the effect these weather conditions had on 
the nesting population, we are of the opinion that these conditions were abnormal and 
probably unfavorable. 
Spring Migration Observations 
Comparative counts of spring migrants entering or passing through the 
State have been obtained as an-index to the number of potential breeders returning to 
the nesting grounds. 
District game biologists recording observations on sixteen sample check 
areas located throughout the State, reported ten of these areas to have increased 
numbers of waterfowl, compared to 1953. Four areas were reported as having the 
same number and two reported fewer migrants this year. 
Aerial censuses for the past six years on Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, and 
Lake Erie during the periods of peak ''build-ups" of migrants show the following 
numbers of waterfowl present on all three areas: 


Year W aterfowl Year Waterfowl 
1949 278, 000 1952 160, 400 
1950 173, 000 1953 247,500 
1951 154, 200 1954 291, 500 
Judging from the observations on sample check areas, together with aerial 
censuses of three major concentration areas, the number of potential nesters moving 
into or through the State this spring increased as compared to 1953. 
