
Breeding Ground Surveys 
MAINE 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
From the standpoint of phenology and climatic conditions, the spring and 
early summer of 1956 have been retarded by nearly a month. Ice-out dates were 
exceptionally late, being the latest in about two decades on some areas. Tempera- 
tures have been generally below average for the entire period from March 1 | 
through mid-July. On the other hand, precipitation has been near normal and has 
been well spaced so that there have been neither floods nor droughts of any serious 
consequence. Moreover, the sub-normal temperatures, while slowing down the 
growing season, have prevented much evaporation with the result that water levels 
(except where adversely controlled by man) have remained more constant than 
usual. 3 pict 1. a ia : 
Breeding Population Indices ise 
in spite of a heavy spring migration through Maine this year, resident 
populations were not as satisfactory as a year ago. All species showed slight to 
moderate decreases except the wood duck which was virtually unchanged from its 
low point reached in 1955. Most serious decline was with the ringneck duck which 
decreased more than it had gained last year. Although the loss in black ducks was 
so slight as to have little or no statistical significance, nevertheless this was the 
third consecutive year that a similar, slight decline has been recorded. 
Waterfowl Census Data {Number of Breeding Pairs) 
Blk. Ducks Ringneck D. Wood Ducks 
Study Area 1955 1956 1955 | 1956 1955 1956 
St. John R., Van Buren- | 
Madawaska | 9 12 - - 4 3 
Portage Lake, Portage a 4 16 13 ] 1 
Meduxnekeag Stream, Hodgdon 3 5 =. = 1 1 
Pocamoonshine«Crawford Lake 32 28 45 40 4 3 
St. Croix R., Calats-Baring 9 14 - - 1 2 
Barn Meadow, Calais 12 8 4 6 - - 
Magurrewock Stream, Calais 13 8 me? 3 ~ - 
Moosehorn Stream, Baring 3 5 - - - = 
Cranberry Lake, Baring . ear ae = so ee) sei oe cb 
Boyden Lake, Perry 3 2 
Pennamaquan R., Pembroke 4 4, 18 12 = ~ 
Great Works Marsh, Edmunds 6 6 
Te 
Continued --= 
