
NORTHEASTERN STATES 
Weather and Water Conditions 
This production season can be characterized as cool and wet. 
It is a direct contrast to the 1957 season and is in many aspects similar 
to the 1956 season. 
Precipitation during the period of April to July was above normal 
over most of the northeast; only portions of the Lake Plains were below 
normal during late May and early June. 
Water levels are currertly normal or above over all of the 
northeast. 
Vegetation responded to the early spring breakup but was then 
retarded due to the generally cool days and cold nights. Growth rate has 
progressed toward "normal" south to north with portions of northern New 
England still retarded, 
In the coastal areas seasonal high tides are reported to have 
flooded nests in late April and early May. 
Breeding Population 
Early reports throughout the northeast were generally optimistic. 
Later, portions of southern New England indicated the breeding population 
was down. This was particularly true of the Black duck. Ring-necked duck 
breeding populations were generally considered above last year where this 
species occurred. 
Production Data 
While early nesting was the general rule, the apparent success 
was below normal. Many of the early class I broods observed numbered only ~ 
one or ty young. Most observers feel that the nesting season was pro- 
longed this year. Ré-nesting is reported heavy throughout much of the 
region. In the coastal areas and portions of the interior late broods are 
noticeably larger. 
Brood rearing conditions have been recorded from good to excel- 
lent. The continued high water levels have increased the amount of brood 
cover normally available. Broods have been reported from areas not normally 
flooded during the area surveys. This has hindered the observers in eval- 
uating production. 
The narrative reports of many observers are more optimistic than 
the data submitted would indicate. This may be due to their inability to 
accurately count birds under the field conditions current this year. 
When considering the data in Tables I and II the foregoing dis- 
cussion should be taken into consideration. 
120 
