trend. An encouraging aspect is seen, how- 
ever, in that the decline was measured almost 
entirely in eastern Maine and may have re- 
sulted in part from a later spring break-up 
in that portion of the State. Populations in 
northern Maine showed a little change from 
1962. A slight increase was indicated in 
central Maine, although this is based on more 
limited data. 
The ring-necked duck exhibited a modest 
increase which was gratifying after its heavy 
decline of a year ago. No special signifi- 
cance is attached to the decrease in blue- 
winged teal and green-winged teal since 
these species are secondary in Maine in any 
year, The high level of the previous 2 years 
reached by the blue-winged teal had never 
been attained in the past, insofar as is known, 
A total of 27 nests (all ring-necked ducks 
and black ducks) were under observation, 
This is too small a sample on which to base 
strong conclusions relative to nesting suc- 
cess, Nevertheless, the data served well to 
supplement other observations as to the 
breeding success, By mid-July three nests 
were still ‘being incubated. Ofthe remainder, 
12 were successful and 12 were destroyed or 
deserted, Hatching success for the ring- 
necked duck was similar to the long-term 
average, but that for the black duck was much 
lower than usual. These limited data were 
substantiated on several study areas by ob- 
served ratios of breeding pairs to broods, 
Predation was somewhat higher than usual 
in 1963, with the red fox being identified most 
frequently as the cause of loss. 
Production Indexes 
Major hatching periods for all species ex- 
cept the ring-necked duck have been consider- 
ably later thanusual. This has been especially 
noticeable for the normally early nesting 
black duck and wood duck, The black duck 
hatching peak was not reached until approxi- 
mately June 17, which is about 2 weeks later 
than the long-term average, Thisis believed 
due to a combination of the retarded seasonal 
phenology plus anappreciable number of early 
nest losses, with resultant renesting. By 
53 
contrast the ring-necked duck, a late nester, 
was little affected, Nesting success appeared 
average for this species, resulting in a 
hatching peak close to long-term average 
dates, 
Based upon nest and brood observations 
16 percent of black duck hatchings, and 25 
percent of wood ducks, occurred after July 
l—an unusually high proportion, It is ob- 
vious that many ducklings in Maine will not 
attain flight until September. 
Average brood sizes are shown in table 
F-45 (p, 159). Very few class III broods had 
been recorded as of July 20. Comparisons 
of the other age classes with those of 1962 
were favorable except in the case ofthe black 
duck, Average sizes of class I and class II 
broods of blacks were appreciably lower than 
a year ago, This would be expected with lower 
nesting success and later hatching peaks oc- 
casioned by more renesting. 
Rearing success as a whole should be rel- 
atively favorable since average to slightly 
above average precipitation has occurred 
during the first 3 weeks of July. 
Conclusions 
Greeding populations of most species of 
waterfowl on Unit study areas were decreased 
from those of 1962. Only the ring-necked 
duck showed an increase. Most noticeable 
decline was in the black duck, although this 
was largely confined to eastern Maine. 
Nesting success was lower for the black 
duck but higher for the ring-necked duck 
than that a year ago, 
Breeding chronology was greatly retarded 
in 1963 especially for the early nesting 
species. <A relatively high proportion of 
black duck and wood duck hatchings occurred 
after Julyl. 
Rearing conditions in most marshes were 
considered fairly satisfactory although not as 
good as a year ago, 
Considering both initial populations and 
nesting success, it may be expected that, 
with the exception of the ring-necked duck, 
waterfowl production on the areas studied 
in 1963 will be lower than in 1962, 
