also were present. Additional species present 
in considerable numbers during the spring 
and fall migration included Pintails, Green- 
winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, American 
Widgeons and Wood Ducks. The population 
figures for Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged 
Teal, and Wood Ducks are misleadingly low 
because these species are especially difficult 
to count from the air and therefore are fre- 
quently overlooked. 
Diving ducks generally are restricted to 
the open estuarine bays, whereas dabbling 
ducks are more numerous in the estuarine 
river marshes. Certain species are exceptions. 
For example, American Widgeons generally 
are more common on the open estuarine bays, 
whereas Ring-necked Ducks prefer the river 
marshes. 
Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, Buffle- 
heads and Oldsquaws are especially numerous 
in the lower, moderately saline portion of the 
open estuarine bay during the wintering and 
migration periods. Canvasbacks, Redheads, 
Lesser Scaup, and Ruddy Ducks usually are 
predominant in the brackish portion of the bay. 
Fairly large numbers of Black Ducks and 
American Widgeons occasionally occur in 
some of the more sheltered coves. 
Dabbling ducks may concentrate locally in 
the estuarine river marshes, especially during 
the migration periods. Ordinarily, they are 
most numerous in the transitional brackish- 
fresh areas where there are excellent cover 
and abundant food. Mallards usually are pre- 
dominant in these brackish-fresh areas. Other 
common waterfowl include Black Ducks, Pin- 
tails, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, 
and Wood Ducks. Waterfowl often travel back 
and forth between the transitional and fresh- 
water marshes during the late evening and 
early morning flights. The species in these 
two types of marsh therefore are similar. 
Fewer birds are present in the fresh-water 
portion during the daylight hours, however, 
apparently because of the scarcity of adequate 
cover. Waterfowl usually are comparatively 
scarce in the brackish portion of the estuarine 
river marsh, although Black Ducks occa- 
sionally may be fairly numerous. 
LOWER WESTERN SHORE SECTION 
Habitats 
The Lower Western Shore section consists 
entirely of relatively deep salt estuarine 
bays. The bays are bordered by an exposed 
steep shoreline that frequently is subjected 
to severe wave action. This environment is not 
suitable for the establishment of extensive 
beds of submerged plants. 
Waterfowl 
Most species of waterfowl are comparatively 
scarce throughout the section. Large numbers 
25 
of diving ducks do occasionally move in when 
more favorable areas are icebound. 
January inventory data during the years 
1955-58 show that the wintering population 
ranged from 100 birds in 1957 to 6,700 in 
1958, averaged 2,900. The very high number 
(71,500) recorded during the January coverage 
of the 1958-59 season probably was the result 
of the unusually severe weather that winter. 
Proportions of the different species are shown 
in table 22. Waterfowl that occasionally are 
fairly numerous include scaup, Common 
Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Oldsquaws, scoters, 
and Canvasbacks, 
CENTRAL WESTERN SHORE SECTION 
Habitats 
The brackish estuarine bay is the prevalent 
habitat type in the Central Western Shore 
section. This habitat is at its best within the 
numerous sheltered coves, bays, and inlets, 
where there are great beds of submerged 
plants. There also are small areas of slightly 
brackish estuarine bay in the upper portions 
of the Magothy and Severn Rivers. Herring 
Bay is a moderately saline type of salt es- 
tuarine bay. 
Waterfowl 
Waterfowl are relatively scarce in this 
section because of excessive disturbance by 
the large human populations. Habitat condi- 
tions are excellent, especially for diving ducks 
and swans. 
January inventory data during the years 
1955-58 show that the wintering population 
ranged from 10,800 in 1956 to 58,000 in 1955, 
averaged 34,900. During the 1958-59 season, 
the January population was down to 8,300 
apparently as a result of severe weather. This 
was followed by a peak population of 24,000 
in March, 
Proportions of the different species are 
shown in table 23. American Widgeons, Ruddy 
Ducks, and American Coots are the most 
numerous waterfowl during the early fall 
flight. Canvasbacks and Whistling Swans, and 
frequently scaup, are dominant during late 
fall and winter. Lesser Scaup are the most 
abundant waterfowl during early spring, but 
there also are large numbers of Canvasbacks 
and Ruddy Ducks. 
UPPER WESTERN SHORE SECTION 
Habitats 
Fresh and slightly brackish estuarine bays 
are the more extensive habitats in the Upper 
Western Shore section, The fresh estuarine 
