3 I 
Late May saw a recession of waters on flooded farmlands in southern 
New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut. Throughout the remainder of the region. 
water levels remained above narmal with temperatures below normal. 
Water levels remained normal, or slightly above, over most of the north- 
east during July with temperatures slightly below normal. On the coastal marshes 
the spring high tides were not considered detrimental to waterfowl production. 
Phenologically the season throughout the northeast is considered late by 
all observers. They estimate a two to three week retardation in the southern 
portions and two to four weeks in the north. Low nightly temperatures and lateness 
of spring run-off maintained low water temperatures until Pa May. Vegetation 
appeared near normal by the end of June. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
Spring migration was delayed by about two weeks throughout most of the 
northeast. Because of the bird dispersal made possible. by the flooded upland, 
some observers feel little comparison with the breeding populations of. previous 
years is possible. Howard Mendall (Maine) states a heavy flight:passed through 
Maine this spring, although resident populations were down. 
Production Indices -__. | | Pe 4 
The data presented in Fable. LE below were compiled from 128 comparable 
areas. The total black duck and wood duck broods produced is down slightly from 
a year ago. The change may reflect wider dispersion of the breeding stock witha 
corresponding drop in the total broods produced on the study areas to July 20. 
Brood size is much the same for the two important breeding species, the 
black duck and wood duck. 
Table 1 shows the dispersion of the comparable sample production areas 
by States and indicates the status of production. 
TABLE I - Number of Comparable Areas by States Showing Status of Production 
State Comparable Areas Increase No Change Decrease 
Connecticut | 4] 15 16 10 
Delaware 2 0 0 VA 
Maine 50 17 5 28 
Massachusetts i 0 1 0 
New Hampshire 4 ] 0 3 
New Jersey 6) 5. “0:5" 5 
New York 6 Z 2 2 
Rhode Island 12 6 3 3 
Vermont ee] 0 0 1 
West Virginia 5 2 12 l 

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