I: ; E: : E E: _, of.” - Pan. 9"\ o..( . c. .t .R- -Vb OUWO b... 5,... n”. S a; n n D\ ovn‘~ «ml at ovvt ‘0‘). at. a .w- . .0... «.3. 3... 9. not; tr v . 3.. a3. :3. .‘flu a N mam - j —— - n- . .LM. L's—4‘3- ‘..‘.DA._.__. Thhistoeertfigthatthe thesis entitled A Survey of the Sumner Veterfowl of a Town.- ehip near Gull Lake, Richigan. presented by Victor 8. Jansen has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for no 3. degree in ZOOIOE . ’Luaa §~Qgflhg ajo professor Date April 22. 1953. ' y r . .jfi'i r '—'1 r' .‘T ’T“ I— A. SURVEY OF THE SUMMER WATERFCML OF A TCMNSHIP NEAR GULL LAKE, MICHIGAN By VICTOR STEPHEN gyson L THESIS Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan State College of.Agr1culture and Applied Science in.part1nl fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Zoology 1953 THESIS ‘o//2/§3 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . LIST OF FIGURES. . . . . . . . . . . . INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . Statement of the problem. . . . . Importance of the study . . . . . Definition of terms . . . . . . . Method of study . . . . . . . . . Acknowledgments . . . . .. . . . THE STUDY AREA . . . . . . . . . .A. . Location. . . . . . . . . . . . n f Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tepography . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE WATER AREAS. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . History of water areas . . . . . . . . . Mapping and survey comparisons . . . . . Map comparisons . . . . . . . . . . ' Survey comparisons. . . . . . . . . Classification and descriptions of water Harmon's Pond. . . . . . . . . . . Richland Pond. . . . . . . . . . . McNutt's Pond . . . . . . . . . . . , Goodrich Pond . . . . . . . . . . . gff~1 ”r Huckleberry Marsh . . . . . . . . . ‘ I V Golf Course Pond. . . . . . . . . . 6‘5; rapt: {){'.§‘L1}1) areas 0 o o e o e o o o o e o Page .iv . v . l . l . l 0 CO 0\ 0‘ O\ 0\ VI 47' \AJ . ll . ll . 11 . ll . l9 . 20 . 20 . 21 . 21 THE BREEDING WATERFOWL . Mallard . . . . . . Blue-winged Teal. . Black Duck. . . . . Wood Duck . . . . . Florida Gallinule . Pied-billed Grebe . Other Species. . . . . . . DUCK CONCENTRATIONS IN LATE SUMMER. . Concentration areas . . Huckleberry Marsh. . Enzian Ponds . . . Goodrich Pond. Other concentration areas. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. . S UTJEVIARY 0 REFERENCES CITED . . . . APPENDIX A . . . . . . . APPENDIX B . . . . . . . Page 25 25 31 3h 36 37 MB I45 145 h8 h? 50 51 52 53 SS 56 65 Table O\U‘L 1:" N 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 IIST OF TABLES Number key and approximate acreages of water areas during Slime]? Of 1950 o e o o o e o o Descriptions of water areas - 1950. . . . . Comparisons of common vegetation of water areas, 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vegetation bordering water areas, 1950 . . Waterfowl brood observations, summer, 1950. waterfowl brood summary, summer 1950 . . . Mallard brood data, 1950 . . . . . . . . . Blueawinged Teal brood data, 1950 . . . . . Wood Duck brood data, 1950. . . . . . . . . Florida Gallinule brood data, 1950. . . . . Piedébilled Grebe nesting records, 1950 . . Pied-billed Grebe brood data, 1950. . . . . Duck flocking records, summer, 1950 . . . . Sora data, 1950 . . . .. . . . . . . . . . Virginia Rail data, 1950. . . . . . . . . . Black Tern data, 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . Great Blue Heron data, 1950 . . . . . . . . Green Heron data, 1950. . . . . . . . . . . American Bittern data, 1950 . . . . . . . . Least Bittern data, 1950. . . . . . . . . . iv Page 17 18 23 2h 27 28 3o 35 38 h2 h? 57 57 59 62 63 6h LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1 Richland township study area showing distri- bution of water habitats in 1950, numbered according to size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 Soils of Richland township on basis of land capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3 Map comparisons of water areas of Richland township . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 h Comparisons of water areas as to visibility from roadsides, 1950. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1h 5 ‘Water areas as shown in.At1as of Richland township, 1873 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 6 Waterfowl brood distribution, 1950. . . . . . . 26 7 Late summer waterfowl concentration areas, 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . he INTRODUCTION It is believed that intensive waterfowl studies of compara- tively small areas are necessary if we h0pe to increase our know- ledge of waterfowl to the fullest and thereby improve our manage- ment practices of these important Species. Estimates of breeding populations by airplane counts, roadside surveys, and other types of extensive methods are in common use, but waterfowl observations of an intensive nature are at present apparently only in a pioneer stage of application. Statement of the problem The purpose of this study was to gather as much data as possible on use by waterfowl and waterfowl productivity of Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, during the summer of 1950. In so doing the main efforts were directed toward (1) the breeding population, and (2) late summer use by breeding and transient waterfowl coming into the area. Importance of the study To date there have been few intensive field studies on water- fowl. Trautman (l9h0) made an intensive study of the birds of Buckeye Lake, Ohio. This study included several of the waterfowl Species. Annual linear strip censusing of ideal waterfowl breeding habitat is being practiced by the Game Division of the Michigan Conservation.Department. This is the most intensive type of water- fowl census now being undertaken for the state. It is the most practicable method economically and has real value from a compara- J -2- tive standpoint. Each year census counts are made over the same areas using identical procedures. This type of census gives an index to the pOpulation trend for the areas covered and perhaps for the entire state. However, a strip census of this type gives few data as to population estimates for the state. It is hOped that a more complete picture of the waterfowl situation can be ascertained from a study of a relatively small area picked more or less at random and including a solid block of surface area rather than a strip of ideal habitat for breeding waterfowl. .A future study in this area would show its waterfowl papulation trend and if additional areas elsewhere were censused similarly in successive years a papulation index for the entire state might be arrived at. According to Pirnie (1935) the best time to make brood counts is during mid-July, when most young birds are unable to fly and few migrants have arrived. Perhaps one week Spent at this time would prove profitable for sample counts of scattered areas over the state. Dr. Pirnie, waterfowl expert from.Michigan State College, states that when.making roadside surveys of Richland township during the ‘past few years he discovered only a small fraction of the number of broods found in the present study; This would indicate the necessity of intensive studies for a more accurate coverage. In a large area, for instance the size of Michigan,.Aldo Leopold (1933) points out that samples must either be selected so as to be representative of the whole state, or they must be so numerous that variations will be averaged out. The accuracy of the census depends on the number of samples, the care with which -3... each is selected, and the skill with which the enumeration of each is made. Definition of terms Some of the terms used in this study are in need of definition. ‘Webster's New International.Dictionary (l9h3) defines the term'water- fowl as "any bird that frequents the water or lives about rivers, etc., or on or near the sea, especially a swimming bird; collectively the swimming game birds as distinguished from the upland game birds and shore birds." In the present study the term waterfowl refers to ducks, grebes, and gallinules. Additional data were obtained on some of the wading birds, namely the herons and bitterns and on the sora (Porzana carolina), Virginia rail (Rallus virginianus) and the black tern (Hydrochelidon niger). Data on species other than the waterfowl as here defined are to be found in the appendix. Bennett (1938) has recorded adults adopting and abandoning ducklings from day to day, thus the term brood may not have family significance. The term brood as used in this study designates a group of ducklings with or without an adult. The ducklings observed during this study have been arbitrarily segregated into three classes according to size and plumage charac- ters. Class I makes up the small downy ducklings with the typical spotted downy plumage (natal down stage). This class ranges up to approximately three weeks in age. Class II are the larger downy young from.approximately half toirwo-thirds grown. This group is easily distinguished from the adult by size and appearance of plumage. Juvenal feathers begin to show in the tail and wings. Class III is made up of nearly adult ducklings not easily distinguiShed -h- from.the adult by size. The behavior of the adult: i.e. attention and alertness, compared with actions of the ducklings, as well as plumage variations aid in determination of young of this size class. Pirnie (1935) says of the ducklings: "Feathering shows on the under— parts, tail, and shoulders (scapulars) by the third or fourth week. At six weeks the birds are about two-thirds grown, the body nearly feathered,e1nd the wing quills are just beginning to show rapid development. At nine or ten.weeks most ducklings are in full juvenal plumage and able to fly." Method of study Most of the waterfowl had completed nesting by the time the study got under way on June 20. The main objectives of the study were to observe and to record waterfowl broods and their summer flocking habits. waterfowl observations were made with the aid of Zeiss 8 x 30 binoculars. Investigations were conducted on all water areas such as lakes, ponds, and.marshes. The coverage was principally by foot, supplemented by rowboat in some of the larger bodies of water. Vegetation often covered a large portion of the water area, thus necessitating long periods of waiting and observing from secluded vantage points. Often it proved advantageous to walk around the edges of the water or even to wade in. Broods were often flushed in this manner and could usually be identified and counted as they passed through an Open area. An effort was made to observe each water area on several different days and at different times during the day; Each body of water was under observation at least twice during the course of the study period. Broods were often -5... observed during early morning and evening hours. Water areas were under observation during the middle of the day as well as early morning and evening in order to obtain as complete a picture as possible on activities throughout the day. All broods were recorded immediately upon observation as to species, number in the brood, and age class. If ducklings were observed in the same water area at a later date they were not con- sidered a separate brood unless the investigator felt reasonably certain they were of a previously unrecorded brood. In this manner it was felt that a minimum number of waterfowl broods could be established forche entire township with a fairly high degree of accuracy and that brood counts conducted in future years in a like manner would then be of comparative value. Because of the dense vegetation in and surrounding many of the water areas it is certain that some broods were missed. Although all the broods were not observed it was felt that by establishing a minimum number of broods, that a pOpulation figure might be deter- mined. Acknowledgments I wish to express my appreciation to Dr. Miles D. Pirnie for suggesting the study and for his guidance and helpful suggestions and criticisms. Dr. Arthur Staebler contributed suggestions at the beginning of the study. Acknowledgment is also due to Dr. George 'Wallace for his assistance in editing the paper. THE STUDY AREA Location This study was restricted to Richland Township of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, located in the southwestern part of the state. Figure 1 shows a map of the study area. A geOgraphical township was selected for the study area because it is of a convenient size for an intensive summer survey and could be easily compared with other townships in the event that similar studies are made in the future. Richland Township was chosen because it was well known to the investigator and many of the landowners were acquaintances of his. Permission to study waterfowl on their lands was easily obtained. Papulation The humanpopulation of the study area was 1,105 at the time of the 19h0 census figures. Richland village with a p0pulation of 327, is located near the center ofishe area. Mbst villagers are employed in the nearby cities of Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, while others work in local industries. Principal crops are hay, wheat, corn, and oats. Dairy farming is also of considerable importance. TOpography The area studied lies in an extensive outwash plain which was formed in the angle of the Lake Michigan and Saginaw lobes when the glacier border was only a few miles from.the present site of Gull lake. The region which includes the study area is characterized by pit lakes and kettle holes which, presumably, were formed by the l e I 03' {L T I S. F .., 3| I6 2| FigI-RIOHLAND TOWNSHIP STUDY AREA SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF WATER HABITATS IN l950,NUMBER- ED ACCORDING TO SIZE. -8- burying of ice blocks which.melted and left basins sunk below the surface of the plain. (Scott, 1921). The terrain varies from level and gently undulating prairie to rolling and rough hilly land. Gull Lake lies 881 feet above sea level. Gilkey Pond in the northwest part ofIshe township has the highest water elevation, 916 feet above sea level, while Three Lakes in the southeast section, is the lowest at 850 feet. (Tapographic Map — Michigan Galesburg Quadrangle - 1917). Soils In order to obtain a more complete picture of the study area a brief description of the soils of the township is included. Soil types were taken from.the Soils Map of Kalamazoo County (1923). The 13 soil types which comprise the soils of Richland Township have been subdivided into five classes based on agri- culture land use. These agricultural land use classes were deter- mined with the assistance of Professor I. F. Schneider of the De- partment of Soils Science at Michigan.State College. Figure 2 shows the soils map for Richland Township based on the subdivision into land use classes described above. These classes are based on tapography of the land aS'well as soil type and are of use only for Richland Township. The first class agricultural land is level in t0pography. It is the best farm land in.the study area and makes up more than half of the township. Soil types in this class include Warsaw loam, 'Warsaw silt loam, Fox loam, and Fox silt loam. TOpography of second class land is rolling to hilly. Soil types include Fox gravelly loam, Fox sandy loam, and Bellefontaine loam. Third class land is Fig. 2-SOILS OF RICHLAND TOWNSHIP ON BASIS OF LAND CAPABILITY. WATER AREAS ARE SHOWN AS OF I950. PREPARED BY PAVE I. E SWAE'IOER FOR THIS STUDY. -10- rolling to hilly but predominantly hilly and soil types included in this class are Bellefontaine sandy loam, Rodman gravelly sandy loam, Hillsdale sandy loam, and Oshtemo loam. Fourth class agri- cultural land is made up of Coloma loamy sand and tOpography is hilly. Bottom lands, marsh areas, pond edges, etc. make up the fifth class land. Muck soils are included in this class as they are very little used for agriculture in Richland Township. THE WATER AREAS Richland township, in 1950, had a total of 1:9 lakesand ponds, and one stream (fig. 1, page 7). The total water area covered approxi- mately 1300 acres or about 6 per cent of the total surface area. These waters range in size from Gull Lake (2100 acres, of which 800 acres are within the study area) down to small ponds of as little as one-eighth acre. History of water areas During the drought period in the early 1930's many of the ponds were almost dry during the summer months. A few of the ponds in years past have been higher than today, others have remained about the same for many years. It is w Opinion that 1950 was a better than average year for water levels, resulting in more total water acreage than in many past years. No definite statement can be made concerning the water levels as no records have been kept in the past. Mapping and survey comparisons M_§p_ comparisons Figure 3 compares two types of state maps and the County road map with the study area map to show the many omissions of water areas in most maps. It is felt these omissions should be pointed out in order to caution against underestimating the extent of breeding waterfowl habitat in the state or in local areas by reference to these nape. It would seem desirable to have a statewide map giving all permanent water areas. -12- A. ALI. WATER AREAS B. TOURIST AND RESORT NAP IOSO OF WEST MICHIGAN-IOQS O. OFFDIAL HIGHWAY MAP OF D. ROAD MAP OF KALANAZOO MICHIGAN - ISSO OOINTY - I948 Fig. 3- MAP COMPARISONS OF WATER AREAS OF RIOHLAND TOWNSHIP. -13- Survey comparisons Figure h shows water areas visible from the roadside of the township as compared with those not visible. It can readily be seen by comparing these maps that many of the water areas (almost half) cannot be seen from roadsides. The purpose of these maps is to point out one of the large sources of error when making exten- sive roadside surveys of waterfowl broods or waterfowl pOpulation counts. The "back" water areas have proved in the present study to harbor both breeding and other resident and early migrant water- fowl in as great or greater numbers than the areas visible from the roadsides. This study indicates that very few broods are raised in large cpen bodies of deep water. Also waterfowl made much use of small water areas under 10 acres in extent during late summer. The pur- pose of pointing out these problems not covered by the extensive roadside and airplane census techniques is to show the necessity for intensive survey of comparatively small areas in order to get more accurate figures on breeding and late summer waterfowl. Figure 5 shows the water areas of Richland Township as they were in 1873. If this map, taken from an atlas of Kalamazoo County, is accurate, it can readily be seen by comparison with the map made dur- ing the present study that water areas are much more numerous now than they were several years ago. This would mean more waterfowl habitat today than in the past in the area under study. It is possible however, that only the larger pond areas were included on the atlas. -1u- A. VISIBLE mow MADSIDE D. POT VISIlE FR“ ROADSIDE Fig. 4-WPARISCHS OF WATER AREAS AS TO VISIHLITY FRON ROADSIDES.-I950 R.IOW. ‘1 \ . :-I U) __ _—-QF_—_h——-—_-r— I la 4V p L__iI__L__ RIO W. Fig. 5- WATER AREAS AS SHOWN IN ATLAS OF RIOHLAND TOWNSHIP, I873. -16- Classification and description of water areas The map on page 7, (Figure 1) also is a master map of the water areas. Each water area has been given a number determined by acreage. The acreages were determined by use of a grid pattern on the U. S. tapographic map. The water area designated as No. 1 has the greatest acreage, water area No. 2 the next greatest acreage, and so on. Permanent areas are listed first followed by those of a semi-permanent nature. The U. S. tOpo- graphic map (1917) shows 33 of the present water areas as ponds or lakes. Twelve others are shown as marsh areas while four are not shown at all. This would seem to indicate that more water area exists now than formerly, although the earlier survey may have been made during a drought period. The common name, corresponding key number, and approximate acreages for each water area are presented in Table 1. Table 2, page 18, gives the descriptions of water areas according to depth, density of cover, and type of cover. Scientific names of all plants mentioned in this study are listed in the check list in the appendix. Brief descriptions of several representative water areas are included here. The purpose of these descriptions is to illustrate the types of waters within the study area, to show the differences of these water areas, and to compare the waterfowl use of waters of different habitat types. These representative water areas were selected either because of their known waterfowl use or because they represent a typical or a special type of water habitat. TABLE 1 DURING SUMMER OF 1950 NUMBER KEY AND APPROXIMATE ACREAGES OF WATER AREAS _§umber Common Name Approximate Acreagefij 1 Gull Lake 2100 (800 in area) 2 Little Long lake 190 ( 60 in area) 3 Middle Three Lakes 50 h Grassy Lake ho 5 Richland Pond 35 6 East Three Lakes 30 7 Miller Lake 25 8 Huckleberry Marsh 23 9 Read's Pond 2O 10 Gilkey Pond 18 ll Mene's Pond 18 12 VanderHoff Lake 15 13 McNutt's Pond 1h 1h Summerville's Pond 13 15 Doolittle's Pond 12 16 Oatman Lake l2 l7 Russel's Pond 12 18 ‘West Three Lakes 10 19 Golf Course Pond 10 2O Harmon's Pond 9 21 Dodson's Pond 8 22 Goodrich Pond 8 23 'Wallace Pond 7 2h Miller's Pond 6 25 Knowlton's Ponds 6 26 Rowe's Pond 5 27 Fillbrook's Pond 5 28 Leatherleaf Pond 5 29 Nichol's Pond 5 3O Noteboom's Pond h 31 Taylor's Pond h 32 Enzian Pond 5 h 33 Brown's Pond 3 3h Humphrey‘s Pond 2 35 ‘Williams Pond 2 2 36 Phillip's Pond 1% 37 Doolittle Pond 2 1% 38 Enzian Pond 3 l 39 Houk Pond 2 1 hO Ehrman's Pond % hl Mason's Pond g h2 Hazel's Pond ? £3 Houk's Pond g hh Hazel's Roadside Pond g h5 McNutt Pond 2 § no Enzian Pond ¥ h? 'Williams Pond : h8 Enzian Pond 2 l/8 h? Enzian Pond h 1/8 * Acreages computed from U. S. TOpographic Maps. -18- TABLE 2 DESCRIPTIONS or WATER AREAS - 1950 Predominant ’Degree of Cover water Area vegetation type Dense Medium Sparse l Submergent x 2 Submergent x 3 Submergent x h Emergent x 5 Emergent x 6 Submergent x 7 Submergent x 8 Emergent x 9 Submergent x 10 Emergent x 11 Emergent x 12 Floating x 13 Emergent x 1h Submergent x 15 Emergent x 16 Floating x 17 Emergent x 18 Submergent x 19 Emergent x 20 Emergent x 21 Emergent x 22 Emergent x 23 Emergent x 2h Emergent x 25 Emergent x 26 Submergent x 27 Emergent x 28 Emergent x 29 Submergent x 30 Emergent x 31 Submergent x 32 Emergent x 33 Emergent x 3h Emergent x 35 Emergent x 36 Emergent x 37 Emergent x 38 Emergent x 39 Emergent x no Emergent x bl Floating x h2 Emergent x h3 Emergent x bh Emergent x h5 Emergent x h6 Emergent x h? Emergent x h8 Emergent x h9 Emergent x -19- Harmon's Pond This 9-acre pond is almost entirely covered by emergent vegetation during the summer months, primarily bur-reed, bulrush, smartweed, and grasses.* This pond was used by a large pOpula- tion of muskrats, resulting in the Opening up of small areas around the 'rat houses during late summer and early fall. ‘Although no duck broods were observed here during the course of this study, the following broods of Mallard (Anas platyrhgn- chos), Black Duck (Anas rubripes), and Blueawinged Teal (Anas discors) were observed. One reason for this variance may have been the fact that the present study was not started until June 20 and early broods may have been missed. Also it is possible that there is a rather large fluctuation in broods reared at any pond in successive years. Richland Pond This is one of the larger bodies of water in the study area. It contains approximately 35 acres and comes under the classifica— tion of an Open.pond. This pond produced two broods of Mallards and one of Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podicaps). One other large, Open water area yielded duck brood observations. Shore vegetation was predominately bulrush. No floating vegetation was noted and there were almost no Open water weed beds. The east edge of this pond lies near state highway M-h3 but the west side goes farm.back away from any roads. A small island of about one acre is located within the west half. This pond was * See Appendix for scientific names of plants. -20- fairly easy for making observations of waterfowl broods, the only hiding places being along the borders and on the island. Few Open type ponds exist in this township. Gull Lake, Miller's Lake, and Oatman Lake are somewhat similar in that they also have Open waters. McNutt's Pond Approximately 1h acres are contained in this pond. In con- trast with Richland Pond, it is densely covered with yellow water- lily in all but the extreme west portion. Large areas of bur-reed and duck potato line the shore. The pond is bordered by a steep pasture on the north, old fields on the south and west, and a hard-surfaced road on the east. Here also duck production was good. Two broods of Bluedwinged Teal and one of Mallards were observed along with two broods of grebes. Similar water areas include Brown's Pond, Wallace Pond, and the Gilkey Pond. Goodrich Pond No duck broods were observed on this pond although two families of'grebes and one of Florida Gallinules were seen. This is an Open country, kettle-type of pond located in a depression in hilly country. It contains about five acres and is covered with dense vegetation except for a small Open area in the southern part. The north end extends into Barry County and is a shallow slough type pond. Vegetation is predominately emergent and is composed mainly of Spikerush, bulrush,and other sedges, water plantain, and smart- weed. Submergent vegetation includes considerable chara (musk grass). —2 1... Cultivated fields and pasture land surround the pond. Dodson's Pond and Mene's Pond are somewhat similar. Huckleberry'marsh This is a peat bog marsh containing approximately 23 acres. water covered the entire area during the early summer. Much of the center of the southern part of the marsh was drier in later summer, and exposed a rank growth of sphagnum.moss. The north portion of the pond and the edges contained water the year round. Vegetation is extremely dense throughout the marsh. The southern portion contains heavy growths of Sphagnum, huckleberry, Michigan holly, leatherleaf, and tall sedges. .A large area in the north portion contains dead willows standing or fallen in the water indicating that this area was once dry. This is the only peat bog area in the study township. Observations were extremely difficult to make because of the dense vegetation. One Wood Duck brood was observed. Golf course Pond One brood each of the Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, and Florida Gallinule (Gallinula chlor0pus) were observed in this lO-acre pond. The rank growth of emergent vegetation, mainly yellow water-lily, made observations extremely difficult. The edges contained patches of dead willows, both standing and fallen, buttonbush, common elder, and gray dogwood. Oak-hickory woods surrounded all except the north and south end. The Gull Lake Country Club golf course bounds the north end and a gravel road and another pond abut the south end. The oak-hickory woods on the west side is contained within a high -22.. bank. The largest opening was in the south end of the pond, the vegetation there being predominantly claSping-leaf pondweed. Other water areas are described in Table 2 on page 18. This table lists the predominant type of vegetation, density of cover, and water depths. A study of the table will show that well over half the water areas are densely covered with emergent vegetation which makes observations difficult; but this cover seems to be attractive and useful to breeding waterfowl. Table 3 compares the common vegetation found in the water areas under study. .A study of this table shows that grasses, sedges, and bulrush are present in practically all waters. It also illustrates the large variety of food plants and cover found in most water areas in which waterfowl broods were observed. The cover types and land use adjacent to the water areas can be found in Table h, page 2h. -o... -. —‘.—».—— a‘r“»~-'u~ .ea ans-apt.— LE 3 -23- run COMPARISONS OF COLE-TON VEGETATION OF WATER AREAS — 1950 »--> - .q— _,._,-- _. _ a%§s§§o_X X XXX X XXXXAX X X XX XC X @333 XX XXXXCXXXC XXCXXXXC X X XXXXXXX XC A X pmozmsopmoz X X X XXXX XA CX XA gmsesoppsm , X A C A A A X endgameemam vn An no VXVX VA VA 3333: XAX CX CC AAA XAXX CX A A A mwemfioeom emzpow XXAX X X C C X XXA X XC X X mmeammmwmmmmoi XXX A AA CXA CX XCC X X .mommsaosexonmm X X X X X mememm AAXAAXAAX CXAXCCAXXXACACX X CXXCA A AA XX X $$2o XMAAAAXACAACXXAXCAXAACAAAX XACAAAAAAAAAXAXCC AAAA emflbeeam $me X A X X X _ X somepamsmm X XCX XXX X X XXXAXAXX C XA AAXCCXXXXXXA X pmozxosm XXX XXCXXXX XC XXAXXXACCXXX X XXXXXCXXAXCA X engaged XXXX XX X CXC X XX A0 A AC CC A AAA X X 33335 X XX 0 X X XA XX XC XX .3213me mp2? XXXX XX X XA X AXX X XXX X XX X l maflasempmzsoflowm X AXXX XAA XAXAXA A X AX A X A AX X Sgfio X XX AX XXX X X AX X X XX AX X XXX t m smssoxamm XXX XAX XXAXX XAXAXXXC X C AA CXXX X0 A AA m mam m smsaasm ”PXXXJoXA XX XXCAXACXA CXXAAA C XXC CXAX CAX X mm m _ _ _ m A . 123M5678 90123 5 67.89 X A C W W. m 1237456789MHRU‘Mrb/bu1::%M_JM24 Maw/.22 :3333333 hihhmtu \uhhh ow + _.I_ -2h- TABLE h VEGETATIOM BORDERING WATER AREAS - 1950 Cultivated ‘Water Area 'Woods Pasture Field Old Field Marsh X vaco~acn\nrr\oropa NMNNN >4 N N NM P4 >4 NM NM NNNNNN >4 NNM MN m 00 NNNNN >4 RNNN \» \o NNNNN >4 >4 RN ‘2’ CD Ema xx 27 18 17 5 THE BREEDING WATERFOW L Breeding waterfowl includes all the waterfowl Species which raised or attempted to raise young. In the study area this in- cluded ducks, Florida Gallinule, and Pied-billed Grebe. Limited observations were also made of the Sora (Porzana carolina) and Virginia Rail (Rallus virginianus) and the herons, bitterns, and Black Tern (Hydrochelidon niger). These are included in the appendix but no special effort was made to locate nests or broods of the marsh Species and therefore the picture presented is far from complete. Locations of all waterfowl broods observed during the study period are shown on the map in Figure 6. Table 5, page 27, gives a complete list of the waterfowl brood observations made, while a summary of these observations for the study period can be found in Table 6, page 28. A glance at this summary shows that the grebe with 19 broods was far the most numerous, followed by the Mallard with 12 broods. Only one brood of the Black Duck was seen. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Barrows (1912) says of the Mallard in Michigan: "It formerly bred in suitable places everywhere in the state, nesting on the ground or in or near marshes, or on islands in marshy ponds. Persecution has driven it away from many localities where it formerly nested in abundance and it is now known in.many parts of the state mainly as a migrant." v.- I NALLARD BD BLACK DUCK I2 I T ewe-emcee TEAL 5 e FLORIDA GALLINULE 3 I9 2 X PIED-BILLED GREBE WD WOOD DUCK Fig 6- WATERFOWL BROOD DISTRIBUTICN l950 . _27_ TABLE 5 WATERFOWL BROOD OBSERVATIONS, SUMMER, 1950 ‘Water.Area Date First Age“ No. in (Name a1d No.) Observed Time Species* Class Brood Grassy Lake (A) June 17 10 am Mallard l 10 June 17 8 am. Grebe l 3 June 17 11 am Grebe l 3 Richland Pond (5) June 23 7 am Mallard 2 11 June 23 8 am Mallard l 7 July 21 7 pm Grebe 3 5 East Three Lakes (6) July 18 10 am Mallard 3 12 Huckleberry Marsh (8) July 31 6 am 'WOod Duck 3 h Gilkey Pond (10) June 30 10 am Mallard 2 )4 Aug. 2 7 am Grebe 3 h Mene's Pond (11) July 20 6 am Grebe 3 A July 20 7 am Teal 2 3 McNutt's Pond (13) June 22 6 am . Mallard 2 7 June 22 6 am Teal l 12 Aug. 5 7 am Teal 2 8 Aug. 5 7 am Grebe 3 7 Aug. 5 8 am Grebe 3 6 Doolittle Pond (15) July 15 6 am Grebe 1 l Russel's Pond (17) July 6 6 am Grebe l 6 Golf Course Pond (19) July 29 7 am Grebe 2 5 June 20 10 am Mallard l 8 July 29 8 am Gallinule 2 2 Harmon's Pond (20) July 21 8 am Grebe 1 5 July 21 10 am Grebe 1 2 Dodson's Pond (21) July 26 9 am Grebe 3 2 Goodrich Pond (22) Aug. 1h 7 am Grebe 2 h Aug. 15 7 pm Grebe 3 5 Aug. 21 8 am Gallinule l 3 Wallace Pond (23) June 20 8 am Mallard l 6 July 12 7 am Teal 3 13 July 12 8 Grebe 2 5 Aug. 7 8 am Gallinule 2 5 Miller's Pond (2h) July 15 9 am Black Duck 2 10 Knowlton's Ponds (25) Aug. 16 9 am Grebe 3 h Rowe's Pond (26) Aug. 7 9 am Grebe 2 5 Brown's Pond (33) June 20 5 pm Mallard l 13 June 20 6 pm Grebe 2 A July 17 7 am Teal 2 7 Humphrey's Pond (3h)‘ June 21 8 am Mallard l 3 Enzian Pond 3 (38) Aug. 22 6 pm 'Wood Duck 3 5 Hazel's Roadside Pond (Ah) Aug. 2 7 pm Mallard 3 8 Enzian Pond (A6) June 30 Noon Mallard 2 6 * Grebe - Pied-billed Grebe; Teal - Blue-winged Teal; Gallinule - Florida Gallinule. + Age Class (1) Downy young, 1 to 3 weeks old; (2) Between 3 weeks and 2/3 grown; large downy; (3) From 2/3 to full grown; difficult ’ to distinguish from adults except by close observation of plumage and behavior. / -28- TABLE 6 WATERFOWL BROOD SUMMARY, SUMMER, 1950 Broods Species Seen Brood Range Brood Average Total Young Mallard l2 3 - 13 7.92. 95 Blueawinged Teal 5 3 - 13 8.60 h3 WOod.Duck 2 h - 5 h.50 9 Black Duck 1 10 10.0 10 Pied-billed Grebe 19 l - 7 h.21 80 Florida Gallinule 3 2 - 5 3.33 10 -29- At the present time the Mallard is probably our most common nesting duck. Eleven water areas observed in the study area har- bored Mallard broods. One of these contained two broods. The twelve broods observed during the summer study totaled 95 ducklings or an average of eight ducklings per brood. The size of water areas having Mallard broods ranged from one-quarter acre to hO acres. Of the 160 acres of water and marsh area used, one brood occurred on the average of 13 acres. On the basis of total water area of which there are approximately 1300 acres, one brood of Mallards was observed in every 108 acres. All of the water areas were covered with dense vegetation except the Open Richland Pond, which harbored two broods. Mallard broods when first seen included five broods in Class I, five in Class II, and two in Class III. Specific inta for this Species are found in Table 7 e Behavior When ducklings were disturbed they usually would swim or skitter quickly to nearby vegetation cover. In several cases, yellow water-lily proved to be the protective cover. The adult female usually led the way, the ducklings following closely in a compact group or single file and all stretched out low over the water. Six adult females with broods, after feigning injury by flapping their wings and swimming about in the water, flew low over the water area quacking loudly all the while. Two other females were observed in Similar actions but their probable broods were not located. In the two quarter-acre ponds neither Mallard adult could be made to fly. Instr 1 they remained with their young and hid very effectively among MALLARD BROOD DATA, 1950 TABLE 7 ‘Water Area Broods No. in (name and number) ._ Acreage Seen Brood. Age Class Grassy Lake (A) AC 1 10 l Richland Pond (5) 3s 2 7-11 1-2 East Three Lakes (6) 3O 1 12 3 Gilkey Pond (10) 18 1 h 2 McNutt's Pond (13) 1h 1 7 2 Golf Course Pond (19) 10 l 8 1 Wallace Pond (23) 7 l 6 l Brown's Pond (33) 3 1 13 1 Humphrey's Pond (3h) 2 1 3 1 Hazel's Roadside Pond (uh) % l 8 3 Enzian Pond (A6) % 1 6 2 11 159% 12 9S -31- the vegetation which consisted of dense growths of sagittaria and Reed canary grass. One fairly typical brood observation occurred in the Golf Course Pond. 'While I was walking as quietly as possible along the wooded border, a brood of Mallards was flushed from a thick patch of buttonbush a few yards ahead. The female hurriedly directed the ducklings into the nearby yellow water-lily. Eight ducklings were counted, but several more may have been hidden by the buttonbush. After getting the ducklings out of Sight, the adult flew about low over the pond quacking loudly and often. Many times She landed in various parts of the pond but almost immediately took off again and flew about still quacking. She kept this up for several minutes, but finally settled among the water lilies, no doubt to rejoin her brood. Pirnie (1935) says of the Mallard: "In southern Michigan the first broods hatch in late April or early in May. On leaving the nest the fluffy yellow and black ducklings crowd in a tight cluster, close behind their mother. They can swim as much as a third of a mile on their first excursion. 'With good luck they are nearly full-grown and able to fly in ten weeks. By the last of July many broods are on the wing, some to scatter widely while others may join the flocks then gathering in the home marshes." Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Blueawinged Teal broods were observed in four ponds. One pond had two broods. The five broods totaled A3 ducklings, or an average of 8.6 ducklings per brood. Size classes when first observed included one brood in Class I, three in Class II, and one in Class III. Dates -32- of first observations were June 22 for size class I, between July 20 and August 5 for class II, and July 12 for class III. The "teal" ponds ranged in size from three to 18 acres. Three of the ponds were covered with dense yellow water-lily, the fourth with grasses covering most of the pond. Forty-two acres of water area were utilized by observed broods of this Species, or an average of eight acres per brood. On the basis of total water area, one brood was observed for every 260 acres. Behavior The first observation of "blue-wing ducklings" in Brown‘s Pond was made on July 17 early in the morning. Seven young were Observed with the female feeding in a duck potato patch in the shallows. The writer stalked to within a few feet of them. On noticing me, the ducklings peeped but sat perfectly still for several seconds until the female herded them in a compact flock from behind, toward nearby water-lily cover. No flying or feigning of injury was demonstrated by this adult. She merely followed the ducklings into the vegetation and out of sight. On the morning of June 22, a female and her brood of 12 ducklings were observed close to Shore in McNutt's Pond. They swam up to the pastured shore near a brood of resting Mallards, waddled through them with the adult teal prodding from behind a few of those who attempted to linger. They proceded along the shore until disturbed by the observer, when they scurried across the water and into the yellow water-lilies about 20 feet from shore. A few minutes later they were glimpsed sneaking through the water-lilies, the adult leading and her -33- brood following single file. Both adult and ducklings were stretched out low over the water. On July 20 a brood of teal, probably this same brood, was again observed resting along the shore. A few minutes later the female, apparently seeing some movement, hurriedly guided the ducklings into the pond to some protective grass along the shore. The ducklings re- mained motionless in this cover while the female swam into the open, surveyed the danger possibilities and soon decided all was safe. She then led the young along the shore where they commenced feeding among the duckweed. Every few minutes the ducklings stretched their nearly grown wings full length as if for exercise. After feeding in this duckweed patch for five minutes the brood swam single file to another feeding spot a few yards distant along the shore, where they again Spent a few minutes feeding. Suddenly the adult flew along the shore and landed in the west side of the pond. The ducklings took to the wing also and flew in twos and threes to join the adults. All but one duckling made the flight successfully. This one failed in its attempt to get off the water. It swam after the others and soon rejoined them. The length of flight was about 100 yards and apparently was a practice performance directed by the adult. A short while later they again flew a short distance along the west edge of the pond. The other brood raised on this pond was not observed until August 5. These ducklings were about half grown. They were alternately feed- ing and playing in the shallows near shore. Upon being alarmed the parent flew about the pond a few minutes before returning to lead the ducklings single file into the water-lilies. -3h- On July 20, early in the morning, a brood of three ducklings and the parent were observed in the Mene Pond. The young were about half-grown and appeared very similar to the adult but were slightly darker. 'When rushed from a distance of 30.feet, the ducklings kept close together and held their wings somewhat humped so that the blue of the coverts was plainly visgble. They moved only a short distance during the initial scare, then swam into the dense vegetation of grasses and disappeared. The brood was not observed again, although.tme pond was revisited on future days. A brood of 13 ducklings and the parent were first observed on July 12 ianallace Pond feeding among duckweed along the north shore. The ducklings appeared to be nearly grown. This broodxvas often later observed from the road, feeding or resting along the shore. They were very tame and all attempts to make them fly re- sulted only in their swimming leisurely away. Table 8 gives specific Blue-winged Teal data obtained during this StUdYO Black Duck (Anas rubriges) Of h? water areas studied, only one yielded a Black Duck brood observation during this study in Richland Township. (Another brood was seen about half a mile to the north of the study area in Barry county.) The study area brood was observed in Miller's Pond on July 15. There were 10 half-grown (Class II) ducklings in the brood at this time. The pond was densely filled with vegetation and the center was almost dry with large stands of grasses, sedges, and meadowsweet. Smartweed and Spikerush were also common. Oak woods surround§_the pond on all except the extreme north end where there BLUE-WINGED TEAL BROOD DATA, 1950 TABLE 8 Water.Area No. in (Name and Number) Acreage Broods Seen Brood Age Class Mene's Pond (ll) 18 l 3 2 McNutt's Pond (13) 1h 2 12 - 8 1 - 2 Wallace Pond (23) 7 1 13 3 Brown's Pond (33) 3 l 7 2 h 12 5 h3 -35- is a small power line clearing through the woods. Observations were extremely difficult to make except in the west end and this is where the ducklings were first observed. The adult female pretended injury as the ducklings skittered to cover in the Opposite direction. She did much quacking while flapping her wings about in the water but soon ceased these activities and rejoined her brood. Although it is very probable that some Black Duck broods were overlooked, it is also probable that some numbers of Mallard broods escaped detection. This suggests that the study area is less favorable for the Blacks as breeding territory, or that the Black Duck just isn't as plentiful as the Mallard in this part of the state. ‘Rood Duck (Aix Sponsa) Two'Wood Duck broods were observed during the study. There was a total of nine ducklings for an average of h.S ducklings per brood. In both broods the young were of size class III and difficult to distinguish from adults. Table 9 summarizes the data collected on the Wood Duck. TABLE 9 'WOOD DUCK BROOD DATA, 1950 ‘Water Area No. in (Name and Number) Acreage Broods Seen Bnaod Age Class Huckleberry Marsh (8) 23 l h 3 Enzian Pond 3 (38) l l 5 3 -37- On July 31 a brood of at least four ducklings was seen at the Huckleberry Marsh. Only a glimpse of them was had as they swam single file under dense growths of Michigan holly and buttonbush. There could well have been other young belonging to this brood. On August 22 a probable family group was observed at the edge of the Enzian Pond 3 which is surrounded by oak woods. When frightened they flew from the pond edge to the wooded border. The "young" were fully grown but the manner in which they grouped behind the female while she stood at the edge of the woods and looked about indicated juvenile ducklings. Two were males and the other two fe- males. A few days later, what was apparently this same group was again observed, this time in an adjoining pond. Only one instance of predation was observed during the study. A Great Horned Owl was flushed from the wooded stretch bordering Huckleberry Marsh early in the morning of July 20. As it flew from a large oak, the owl droyped the remains of an adult wood Duck. It is assumed the owl killed the duck. Florida Gallinule (Gallinula chlorOpus) Three Florida Gallinule broods were observed in the study area. Another was seen to the north in Barry county. The three broods totaled 10 young. Also there were four pairs of gallinules and one single adult located in five water areas other than those producing known young. The nest of one of these four pairs was located in Doolittle's Pond on June 27. One adult was flushed from within three feet of the nest. The nest of coarse bulrush contained nine eggs which were light buff in color and covered with uniform reddish-brown Spots. The water was eight inches deep by the nest. The nest itself -38- {as about six inches above the water surface in the bulrush clump. Dimensions of the nest are as follows: outside depth - 5 inches; inside depth — 2 inches; outside diameter - 8 inches; inside dia- meter - 5.5 inches. On the next trip to this pond the nest was empty but neither adults or the young gallinules could be located. Table 10 gives Specific data for the Florida Gallinule. TABLE 10 FLORIDA GAILINULE BROOD DATA, 1950 ‘Water.Area No. in (Name and Number) Acreage Broods Seen Brood Age Class Golf Course Pond (19) 18 l 2 2 Goodrich Pond (22) 8 l 3 l wallace Pond (23) 7 l S 2 Behavior On July 29 two young gallinules and both adults were observed in the Golf Course Pond walking along a fallen.willow and swimming among the buttonbushes. The young were then about one-third grown. Both the adults did a great deal of quiet chattering during the period of observation. Except for size the young were very similar to the adults although the bill appeared greyer. This was the only observa- tion made of this brood. On August 21 a family of three, third-grown young was observed in the Goodrich Pond. One adult gallinule was flushed from bulrush cover within the pond. It swam out into the Open peeping loudly while the young remained hidden. wading about in the area where the adult was first flushed I drove out three young which swam after the adult. The third brood was observed on July 2h in Wallace Pond. Five young and both adults were feeding in a duck potato patch near the west shore. Both parents were observed putting food into the mouths of the young. The adults peeped upon becoming alarmed, then skittered to the yellow water-lilies where the young soon joined them. The brood at Lockshore Pond, which is out of the limits of the study area,also had five young. These were half grown and one of the adults was observed feeding one of the young, although this young and the others were doing most of their own feeding. Of the eight water areas in which this Species were observed all were filled with dense emergent vegetation. It is probable that other gallinule pairs also raised broods but successfully con- cealed them from observation. No Coot observations were made during the summer of the study. Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) Nineteen broods of the Pied-billed Grebe were observed. These totaled 80 young or an average of h.2 young per brood, and brood size ranged from one to seven. Fifteen water areas harbored these broods; four had two broods, the others one each. The 15 water areas totaled 205 acres. This averaged one brood per 11 acres in water areas known to have had young. One brood was found for every 68 acres of total water area. This picture is misleading because BOO acres of Gull Lake is included in the study area and is little used by breeding waterfowl. Eliminating this large body of water from the picture, we have one brood for every 26 acres of more suitable water area. -h0- Pied-billed Grebe broods can easily be mistaken for duck broods by the hasty observer. Quick roadside glimpses of a grebe brood probably often result in erroneous reports of duck broods. Adult grebes are often mistaken by hunters for ducks during the hunting season and each year many are left lying upon the water after the hunter has realized his mistake (Trautman, l9h0). This species was the most abundant observed breeder of the water- fowl under study. Broods were fairly easy to spot even after they- had attained full growth. The young could be easily distinguished from adults at this stage by noting the markings of the head with binoculars. These markings, or streaks, are peculiar to the young. Upon attaining full growth, the broods seemed to frequent open areas more often. Eight broods were not Observed until they had reached this stage of growth. Seven broods were extremely small when first observed and four were about half grown. Four grebe nests were discovered. Of these, three resulting broods were later observed. Nests were located in Richland, McNutt, Harmon, and Noteboom.ponds. The Richland and McNutt nests were located in bulrushes on the water surface in 15 and 12 inches of water. The Harmon Pond nest was in water too deep to reach because of soft, muddy bottom but the adult was observed sitting on her nest with two tiny young resting beside her, apparently just hatched. This observation was made on July'21. 'When.the adult became alarmed she covered the remaining eggs with nest material by use of her bill, re- treated to nearby vegetation, and could be seen glancing in all directions trying to determine the cause of alarm. A few minutes later she was again noted on her nest. ~hl- The nest located in Noteboom's Pond contained four well soiled eggs on June 28. This large, bulky nest of decaying plant debris was floating near the shore in 15 inches of water. It was hidden in dense sagittaria whose fresh stems had been placed on the decaying material. The probable resulting brood was not located. Table 11 summarizes the pied-billed grebe nesting records. Behavior 'While making observations at Grassy Lake of three young and the two adults, one of the young was Observed to climb upon the adult's back and stretch out low over the tail region in an attempt to hide. The other two sat motionless among the cattail, peeping occasionally. After a few minutes, the‘adults began calling to the young as if trying to find them. Several minutes later they were again together. An old nest, probably of this family, was located nearby. The young were under a week old at the time of this observation. At Harmon's Pond an adult was Observed to alert her young by peeping when she was disturbed. The five young swam into denser vege- tation, there remaining motionless until the adult again swam out into the open area to feed. Five young grebes were observed in the Golf Course Pond. One of these was considerably Smaller than the rest which were then half grown, indicating that it probably did not originally belong to this flock. The young were continually peeping while following the adult along the shore border. These young were still being fed by the adult on August 18 when they were about half grown. In the Goodrich Pond, adult grebes were seen to chase a Great Blue Heron from its feeding ground. Also they scattered Blueawinged TABLE 11 PIED-BILLED GREBE NESTING RECORDS, 1950 Water.Area Water Depth (Name and Number) Date Clutch Material (in.) Remarks Richland Pond (5) June 2h 8 Bulrush 15 Nest floating McNutt's Pond (13) June 22 6 Bulrush 12 Nest att- acked to bulrush Harmon's Pond (20) July 21 7 Unidentified ? 2 young Decayed Vege- on nest tation Noteboom's Pond (30) June 28 h Sagittaria 15 Nest floating -u3- Teal flocks on two different occasions by swimming into13he flock. Observations of grebe broods were much more evenly distributed than for the ducks. A possible explanation for this iS that grebes Spend much more time on the water than do ducks. Duck families are known to Spend considerable time on land where they could be easily overlooked. Therefore their actual occurrence could have been much more evenly distributed than observations revealed. Table 12 gives the Pied-billed Grebe brood records. Other Species 'While studying the above species additional data were obtained for the following birds: Sora and Virginia rails, Black Tern, Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Green Heron (Butorides virescens), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis). Most observations were sight records of adults although a few nests and young were discovered. Brief discussions of the above 1 names Species are included in the appendix. -bb- TABLE 12 PIED-BILLED GREBE BROOD DATA, 1950 water Area No. in (Name and Number) Acreage Broods Seen Brood Age Class Grassy Lake (A) ho 2 3 - 3 l - l Richland Pond (5) 35 l 5 3 Gilkey Pond (10) 18 1 h 3 Mene's Pond (ll) 18 l h 3 McNutt's Pond (13) 1h 2 6 - 7 3 - 3 Doolittle Pond (15) 12 l l l Russel's Pond (l7) l2 1 6 1 Golf Course Pond \19) 10 l 5 2 Harmon's Pond (20) 9 2 2 - 5 l - 1 Dodson's Pond (21) 8 l 2 3 Goodrich Pond (22) 8 2 5 - h 2 - 3 Wallace Pond (23) 7 l 5 2 Knowlton's Ponds (25) 6 l h 3 Rowe's Pond (26) 5 l 5 2 Brown's Pond (33) 3 l h l 15 205 19 80 DUCK COFCENTHATIONS IN LATE SUMMER Apparently little data have been collected on summer water- fowl after the end of the brood season. It is the purpose here to discuss late summer flocking within the study area. Both summer resident ducks and the early migrants are included in these late summer gatherings. Figure 7 is a map showing the late summer waterfowl con- centration areas. Table 13, page h7, gives a complete summary of Observations of these. By reference to this table it can be seen that there were continually changing numbers of ducks using an individual pond on different dates. Further, no Green-winged ‘ Teal broods were Observed during the breeding season but they were known to be present by late summer and early fall. This would indicate that by September the ducks that were using the area were probably not all locally raised. Many could have migrated into the area by that time. Dr. Pirnie (1932) says "It is not all steady build-up, rather a shifting of pOpulation. It is not known to what extent the pOpulation is made up of locals and migrants." Concentration areas ‘Waters used by flocking waterfowl during late summer and up to the end of September were almost entirely those of the north and northeastern part of the study area. Small bodies of water, mostly under 10 acres, were used to a great extent. Use was made of water areas ranging from one-eighth acre to 23 acres. Only one \ '—|I-- .-—':g_.1. *0 , . as - ‘ ., 9 g 4% ‘.7 r .I l ’u i a“ o r . § ‘ . O‘PJ US. .3“ 1“ . . \‘JITIS RICHLAND l |~ . l -.L Pi f‘ L. ‘ . =9 ’1"... I 6 e {1...- C'? I an as 7 .l____ __ _J___J..§_4___ RIOW. swems mmnm song I MALLARD 9 80 BLACK DUCK 5 T BLUE-WINGED TEAL I WD WOOD DUCK l I 81' GREEN -W|NGED TEAL Fig.7-LATE SMER WATERFOWL CONCENTRATION AREAS. l950 -h7- TABLE 13 DUCK FIOCKING RECORDS, SUMMER, 1950 Water Are as (Name and Number) Date Species Flock Size Huckleberry Marsh (8) July 26 Mallard 75 July 27 Mallard, Black Duck 60 July 31 Mallard 15 Black Duck h Blue—winged Teal 3 Aug. 1 Mallard 32 Black Duck 5 Blue-winged Teal 9 Aug. 9 Mallard M Black Duck 3 Blue-winged Teal D, Wood Duck 15 Aug. 12 Wood Duck 22 Mixed Mallard, Black Duck, Blue-winged. Teal, _l_ and Wood Duck ’40 Russel's Pond (17) Oct. 9 Mallard 130 G_g_lf Course Pond (19) Oct. 17 Mallard ho Goodrich Pond (22) Aug. 1h Mallard lO Blue-winged Teal 130 Aug. 15 Blue—winged Teal 120 Green-winged Teal 5 Aug. 17 Mallard 65 . Blue-winged Teal 120 Green-winged Teal 5 Black Duck 10 Aug. 21 Mallard 18 Black Duck 9 Blue-winged Teal 25 Aug. 22 Mallard 2 Black Duck 20 Blue—winged Teal 5 Sept. 5 Mallard 19 Black Duck 3 Blue-winged Teal 70 Sept. 17 Mallard 6 Black Duck 6 Blue-winged Teal 30 Pintail 9 Wallace Pond (23) Sept. 30 Black Duck 12 Baldpate )4 Miller Pond (214) Oct. 1 Mallard 30 __ Black Duck 30 Noteboom's Pond (30) Oct. 9 Mallard 10 _L Black Duck 30 Enzian Pond 3 (38) Aug. 7 Mallard 30 Black Duck 20 Sept. 5 Mallard 5 Black Duck 2 Sept. 17 Mallard 70 Black Duck 15 Blue-winged Teal 2 Honk Pond 2 (39) Aug. 7 Mallard 11 Mason's Pond (Ill) Oct. 6 Black Duck 5 Green-winged Teal 20 Mallard X‘. — \ - .\! -h8- water area (the Huckleberry Marsh consisting of 23 acres) was over 10 acres. Of 1h areas used by ducks, seven were one acre or less in extent. Six were either partially or completely surrounded by woods. Huckleberry Marsh On July 26 approximately 60 Mallards and possibly a few Black Ducks were observed alighting in the marsh about dusk. A few minutes later 15 Mallards drOpped in. This is the earliest record for duck flocking that I recorded in the study area. These ducks flew into the south end of the marsh at 7:00 p.m. They probably Spent the night in the marsh. The south end consists of dense growth of huckleberry, Michigan holly, and grasses and sedges. The huckleberries were still hard and green at this date. The next evening, July 27, a total of at least 60 ducks was seen landing in the marsh, again in the south end. How- ever, this time the ducks came in small flocks of from 5 to 18. Most of them were again Mallards with smaller numbers of Black Ducks and a pair of Blue-winged Teal. There was some quacking in scattered portions of the marsh indicating at least a few females in the flocks. Close observation of a flock of 15 Mallards on August 9 in this marsh indicated them.to be mostly males. The bills were olive colored and unSpotted and there were some gray feathers in the flank area which aided in sex determination. ‘The eclipse plumage of the male is somewhat Similar to that of -h9- the female making fairly close observations necessary to dis- tinguish them.. Kortright (l9h3) says of the eclipse plumage of the Mallard: "The moult into the eclipse starts in early June or July, and is usually complete in August when the plumage closely resembles that of the somber, mottled female, except that the bill is dull olive green without Spotting." Duck flights after July 27 in this marsh were smaller but fairly steady throughout August. Twenty-two Wood Ducks were observed on August 12. In early October, a mixed flock of Mallards, Black Ducks, and Blue-winged Teal was flushed from the north end. Also about 10 Wood.Ducks were seen on this date. Enzian.Ponds Five ponds were located on the Enzian farm. Three of these were used by late summer waterfowl concentrations. All three ponds were an acre or less in size. By September 5 one of the ponds was dry and another was without water a few days later. Of these two ponds, one was located along a road and in the south corner of a hayfield. The other was in a hayfield but was some distance from a little-used gravel road. The third pond used by duck concentrations was surrounded by woods and during the Spring of the year was connected with an adjoining pond, but the water receded in early summer until approximately 100 yards separated the two ponds. Duck flocks were observed on these ponds between August 6 and September 17. The largest flock was seen on August 7 in the small wooded pond when 100 Mallards and Black Ducks were using the pond. The ducks, mostly Mallards, were feeding and splashing -50- noisily about the pond at 9:00 a.m. On this same day about h5 minutes earlier 70 ducks were observed in the one-eighth acre roadside pond. These ducks were Sitting motionless in the water, apparently alerted. The group included a few Blueawinged Teal besides the larger number Of Mallards and Black Ducks. Earlier yet, at 7:00 a.m., ll Mallards were feeding on the third Enzian pond. On August 6 there were h5 Mallards and Blacks in this pond. The last Observed use of these ponds was on September 17 when 70 Mallards, 15 Black Ducks, and 2 Blue-wings were noted on the pond bordered by woods. Goodrich Pond This pond contains five acres and is of the Shallow, prairie-slough type. It is surrounded by pasture on all sides. Observations of flock concentrations were made from August 1h to September 17. Early migrant Blue-winged Teal used this pond in numbers up to lhO birds. Also observed using the pond were as many as 65 Mallards, 2C Black Ducks, 9 Pintails, and 5 Green- winged Teal. On.August 1h the flock of blue-winged Teal was using the north end which was densely covered with vegetation except for a small area in the center. They seemed to prefer a small Open muddy area surrounded by dense growth of bulrush, Spikerush, and water plantian with quantities Of muskgrass on the bottom. This flock of blueawings was observed until after dark and again the next morning at dawn making it fairly certain that they remained in this pond all night. On the morning of August 15 five Green- winged Teal were seen with the Blue-wings. The flock Spent most Of the time feeding and occasionally flying about the pond. By August 21, the numbers of Blue-wings had drOpped to 25 and a day later only five were observed. However, on September 5, 70 Blue- wings were seen and on September 17 there were 30. Two Marsh Hawks were Often seen on the pond area. Several times one of these hawks was observed flying close to the teal, causing them to scatter and fly to another part of the pond, but no attack was seen. Sixty—five Mallards and 10 Black Ducks were seen in the south end of the pond on August 17. Upon alighting they disappeared among the bulrushes and some of them fed in an adjoining patch Of sagittaria and smartweed. Smaller numbers Of Mallards and Black Ducks were Observed during late August and until the middle of September. Other Concentration Areas Several areas other than those described were used by flocking ducks but to a lesser extent and for the most part later in the season, after the period of this study. These areas and their use by waterfowl are included in Table 13, page h7, which summarizes flocking observations. The first concentrations begin during the early summer when the males gather together in flocks. Bent (1923) says "The drakes usually take no interest in family cares after the eggs are laid, but gather in Small flocks by themselves, moult into eclipse plumage and hide among the rushes in the sloughs where they Spend the summer in seclusion." CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Pied-billed grebe is a more abundant breeder than the other waterfowl in southern Michigan. Mallards in this area are more numerous during the breeding season than are Black Ducks. Shallow water areas of acreages as low as one or two acres are good brood-rearing habitat for waterfowl if they contain large areas of emergent vegetation. Contrasted to this, large Open bodies of deep water are not attractive to breeding waterfowl, Waters not visible from roadsides are as apt to harbor breeding waterfowl as are waters which can be seen from roadsides. In inland waters in southwestern Michigan, duck concentrations during the late summer months prefer Small water areas. The flocks consist predominately Of males. If a number Of local, intensive studies such as this were made in widely scattered localities in Michigan a better conception of the distribution and status of breeding waterfowl could be obtained. Studies of this type might disclose reasons why certain Species have increased in numbers during certain periods while others have decreased or made no gain. They might make it possible to establish future policies which would mutually benefit both waterfowl and man. SUMMARY 1. The breeding and Summer concentrations of waterfowl were studied between June and October, 1950, in Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, located in the southwestern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. 2. 'Waterfowl brood Observations were made on 22 of the A9 water areas. Duck brood observations were made in 15 of these waters. 3. The Mallard was the most common breeding duck. Twelve broods of this Species were Observed, compared to 5 of Blue-winged Teal, 2 of Wood Ducks, and one of Black Ducks. Other waterfowl broods included 19 Pied-billed Grebe and 3 Florida Gallinule. The grebes were much more evenly distributed over the study area than were the ducks. h. Typical reactions of the Mallard hen when her brood was disturbed was to feign injury and usually further protest by flying low over the water and quacking loudly. These actions differed from the Observed Blue-winged Teal reactions, the teal hen normally leading her young quietly into nearby cover and then keep- ing out of sight. 5. 'Waterfowl broods made considerable use of shallow bodies of water of small acreages, eSpecially when they contained dense growths of emergent vegetation. Contrasted to this, little use was made of large, Open bodies of deep waters. 6. Most Of the water areas had a dense cover of emergent vege- ~5h- tation covering much of the pond area. This no doubt resulted in a number of broods being overlooked. 7. Water areas not visible from roadsides and therefore commonly ignored in roadside surveys harbored both breeding and other resident and early migrant waterfowl. 8. NO comparisons between brood numbers on pastured and non- pastured water areas could be made due to the fact that most of the ponds were only partially pastured making it impossible to draw any definite conclusions on comparative use. 9. Waterfowl on the study area concentrated in late summer and early fall in small water areas under 10 acres in extent in all cases except one 23-acre marsh. 0f 1h waters used by flocking ducks, 7 were an acre or less in extent. Six were either partially or completely surrounded by woods. 10. First observations Of duck flocking was on July 26. This concentration consisted of about 75 ducks, mostly Mallards and a few Black Ducks. Other duck flocking observations included Blue-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Pintail, and Greenawinged Teal. 11. Early flocks were composed primarily of drakes in eclipse plumage, although a few females were also detected. 12. There was no steady builddup of duck concentrations, but rather a shifting of population in and out of the study area and from pond to pond in the area. Concentrations at times far exceeded the numbers Observed during the breeding season, indicating that by this time the ducks using the area were not all locally raised. Also, Species other than those noted during thetlreeding season were present by'September. 13. The build-up of Black Ducks was at no time as great as for the Mallard and Blue-winged Teal. REFERENCES CITED Barrows, Walter B. 1912 Michigan bird life. Mich. Agric. 0011., East Lansing, Mich. Bennett, Logan J. 1938 The Blue-winged Teal, its ecology and management. Collegiate Press, Ames, Iowa. Bent,.Arthur Cleveland 1923 Life histories of North American wild fowl. Order Anseres (Part I). U. 8. Nat. Mus. Bull. 126:1 - 1-2hh Fernald, M. L. 1950 Gray's Manuel of Botany, Eighth edition. Am. Book CO. Hotchkiss, Neil 1936 Check-list of marsh and aquatic plants of the United States. Washington, D. C. Kortright, Francis H. l9h3 The ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Am. Wildl. Inst., Washington, D. C. Leopold, Aldo 1933 Game Management. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Perkins, S. 0. and James Tyson 1926 Soil Survey of Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Washington Gov. Printing Office. Pirnie, Miles D. 1932 Fall migration of the Black Duck from northern Michigan. Papers of the Mich. Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters. 1935 Michigan waterfowl management. Mich.Dept. of Cons., Lansing, Mich. Scott, I. D. 1921 Inland lakes of Michigan. Mich. Geol. and Biol. Survey Pub. 30, Geol. Ser. 25. Trautman, Milton B. l9h0 The birds of Buckeye Lake, Ohio. U. of Mich. Press, Ann Arbor, Mich. Webster's New International Dictionary, l9h3 1917, 1918 Topographic maps of Michigan Galesburg and halamazoo Quadrangles. Geol. Survey Div., Dep't. of Cons., Lans- ing, Michigan. APPET‘IDIX A MARSH AND SHORE BIRDS OTHER THAN WATERFUWL Sora (Porzana carolina) Sora's were observed from June 20 to July ll. Eight adults were observed during this period in seven different ponds. All but one of the ponds in which observations were made were covered with dense emergent vegetation. Three nests containing eggs were located, and another recently hatched nest was found with a young bird nearby. After July ll not a single Sora was heard or seen during the remainder of the study. This is difficult to account for even though no particular stress was put on study of this Species. It is probably partly accounted for by the fact that the song is seldom used after the early part of the breeding season, thus making observations of this secretive bird even more difficult. Trautman (l9h0) says that an examination of rail habitat is so time consuming that only a small amount of habitat can be observed in a day and consequently only a small percentage of rails, possi- bly as low as two per cent, can be observed in a day. Table 1h summarizes the Sora data. Virginia Rail (Rallus virginianus) Data obtained on this species are very similar to those for the Sora. Observations were made from June 26 to July 26. Seven adult birds were seen during this time in as many water areas. Three nests were located, the clutch size ranging from four to eight -57- TABLE 1h SOBA DATA, 1950 Water Area (Name and Number) Date Number Seen Nests Clutch Grassy Lake (h) June 20 1 1 13 Huckleberry Marsh (8) June 22 1 Read's Pond (9) July 6 1 McNutt's Pond (13) June 22 1 1 l Miller's Pond (2h) June 28 1 Enzian Pond 5 (32) July 11 2 1 3 Houk's Pond (h3) June 22 1 1 Hatched TABLE 15 VIRGINIA RAIL DATA, 1950 Water.Area (Name and Number) Date Number Seen Nests Clutch Grassy Lake (h) July 12 l 1 h East Three Lakes (6) July 18 l Mene's Pond (11) July 20 1 Doolittle Pond (15) June 27 1 1 8 West Three Lakes (18) June 26 1 1 S Dodson's Pond (21) July 26 l Noteboom's Pond (30) June 28 1 -58- eggs. This rail seemed to prefer larger water areas than did the Sora. Five of the seven areas contained dense sedge, grass, or cattail sections, and the other two had thick growths of yellow water—lily and sagittaria. Virginia Rail data are found in Table 15, page 57. Black Tern (Hydrochelidon niger) This Species was common on many of the water areas. Only three nests were actually located but it is certain there were many times this number nesting locally. At many ponds there were small islands of vegetation or piles of debris which were not in- vestigated due to inaccessability by wading. These areas are ideal nesting sites for the Black Tern. This Species is very aggressive in its actions against intruders. During the early summer whenever I approached too near a probable nesting site, at least two terns began diving at my head from various angles. Several times they came within inches of striking me and I found it desirable to keep a twig or stick over my head when in Black Tern territory. The'three nests located were on Small mats of vegetation. Of the two investigated, one had some bulrush nesting material; the other had no nesting material other than the mat. Each nest contained two eggs. Table 16 summarizes the Black Tern observations. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) This Species was fairly common throughout the study period. No breeding data were obtained. Table 17 shows the adults observed during the study period. TABLE 16 BLACK TEBN DATA, 1950 Water Area (Name and Number) Date Number Seen Nests Clutch Grassy Lake (A) June 27 2O Read's Pond (9) July 6 2 Huckleberry Marsh (8) June 22 2 Doolittle Pond (15) June 27 8 1 None July 15 6 Russel's Pond (17) July 6 8 Golf Course Pond (19) June 20 10 Harmon's Pond (20) June 29 6 Goodrich Pond (22) July 3 h ‘Wallace Pond (23) June 20 1h Knowlton's Ponds (25) July 5 3 Rowe's Pond (26) JDne 26 16 1 2 Noteboom's Pond (30) June 28 1 Brown's Pond (33) June 27 8 1 2 Houk's Pond (D3) June 22 2 110 3 h -60- TABLE 17 GREAT BLUE HERON DATA, 1950 Water Area (Name and Number) Date Number Seen Huckleberry Marsh (8) July 26 2 July 27 h July 31 h August 1 5 August 9 5 Read's Pond (9) July 6 2 Gilkey Pond (10) August 2 2 Goodrich Pond (22) August 1h 2 Nichols Pond (29) June 22 1 Enzian Pond 5 (32) July 11 1 Enzian Pond 3 (38) August 11 2 -61- Green Heron (Butorides virescens) This heron was even more common than the Great Blue. Observa- tions were made in 11 water areas. One nest was discovered on July 18 containing two or more eggs. This platform type of nest was constructed of twigs and placed in a buttonbush three feet above water and about 30 feet from Shore in deep water. The Huckleberry Marsh was used to a much greater extent than any of the other water areas. The buttonbush and dead willow appeared ideal for this Species. Table 18, page 62, gives data for this Species. American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) No breeding information was collected for this Species. Several pairs were located and it is believed to be a regular breeding bird in the study area. Probably the nests were in drier marshes or hayfields not searched as closely as the wet places. Table 19, page 63, summarizes the American Bittern observations. Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) This Species was noted at three locations. Only one nest was located, this on July 18 in the cattail marsh at the north end of East Three Lakes. The nest contained four eggs. It was at the base of cattails and consisted of cattail and bulrush stems, grasses, and sedges. The female was observed sneaking back to the nest a few minutes after being flushed from it. Returning to the nest about one hour later the female was again flushed from the nest. Two of the eggs this time had holes peeked in them, possibly the work of Long-billed Marsh Wrens which abounded in this area. All f -62.. TABLE 18 GREEN HERON DATA, 1950 ‘Water.Area (Name and Number) Date Number Seen Little Long Lake (2) June 21 1 Grassy Lake (A) June 17 1 Huckleberry Marsh (8) July 26 8‘ July 27 10 July 31 10 August 1 5 August 9 10 Gilkey Pond (10) August 21 h August 2 . 1 Mene's Pond (11) July 8) 2 'West Three Lakes (18) June 26 1 Golf Course Pond (19) August 18 2 Dodson‘s Pond (21) July 26 2 Nichol's Pond (29) July 18 5 Humphrey's Pond (3h) June 21 2 Phillips Pond (36) July 7 2 -63- TABLE 19 AMERICAN BITTERN DATA, 1950 Water Area (Name and Number) Date Number Seen Grassy Lake (A) June 17 2 July 12 1 East Three Lakes (6) July 18 2 Gilkey Pond (10) June 30 2 August 2 1 Doolittle Pond (15) July 15 1 west Three Lakes (18) June 26 1 Harmon's Pond (20) July 21 1 Goodrich Pond (22) September 5 1 Wallace Pond (23) June 20 2 Rowe's Pond (26) June 26 2 Brown's Pond (33) June 20 1 July 17 2 August 7 2 Enzian Pond h (N9) ~6h- three water areas were large and had extensive cattail or sedge cover. Table 20 gives pertinent data for this Species. TABLE 20 LEAST BITTERN DATA, T950 Water Area (Name and Number) Date __ Number Seen Grassy Lake (A) June 20 . 1 July 12 1 East Three Lakes (6) July 18 h 'Nest Three Lakes (18) June 26 2 APPENDIX B Some Marsh and Water Plants Observed in the Study Area, 1950 Scientific Name* ~A1isma plantago-aquatica L. Alopecurus geniculatus L. Anacharis canadensis (Mich.) Planch Caltha palustris L. Carex spp. CaStalia odorata (Ait.) Neodville and wood Cephalanthus occidentalis L. CeratOphylluS demersum L. Chamaedaphne calyculata (L) Moench Chara spp. CBPHES racemosa Lam. Cornus stolonifera Mich. Cyperus diandrus Torr. Cyperus flavescens L. Echingdhloa spp. ETEBEHEPEE‘bbtusa (Wild.) Schult Eleocharis ovata (Roth) Hoem. and Schult Equisetum fluviatile L. Ilex verticillata (L) Gray Lemna minor L. Nymphaea advena Ait. Phalaris arundinacea L. Polygonum amphibium L. Pontederia cordataIL. Potamogeton crispus L. Potamogeton pectinatus L. Potamogeton perfoliatus var. richardsonii Ar. Benn. Rosa palustris Marsh. Sagittaria latifolia Wild. Sambucus canadensis L. Scirpus americanus Pers. ScirpuS validus Vahl Solidago occidentalis (Nutt.) Torr. and Gray Sparganium americanum Nutt. Sparganium eurycarpum Engelm Sphagnum spp. Spiraea latifolia (Ait.) Borkh. Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schlaid Typha latifolia L. Utricularia vulgaris L. Vallisneria Spiralis L. Common Name Water plantian Foxtail W ate rweed Marsh marigold Sedge White waterlily Buttonbush Coontail Leatherleaf Muskgrasses Gray dogwood Red-osier dogwood Cyperus Cyperus Wild millet Spikerush Spikerush Water horsetail Michigan Holly DuckWeed Yellow waterlily Reed Canary Grass A Nater smartweed Pickerelweed Pondweed Sago pondweed Clasping-leaf pondweed Swamp rose Arrowhead ¢ommon elder Common three-square Softstem bulrush Goldenrod Burreed Giant burreed Sphagnum moss Meadow-sweet Big duckweed ¢ommon cattail Common bladderwort Wild celery % The authorit; for scientific names is Check-list of Marsh and\ Aquatic Plants of the United States by Neil Hotchkiss and Gray's Manual of Botany, Eighth Edition. ‘L,, .I III I | II II) |V '111 ‘II J I 'I' '1“ l l I | I Ic I i . .1 I I C \ J I1. t c I I I C O h i I .0 to ‘ 0‘. I I 3 II 1 O. o O n O .l I .In I 0- I '4. .. v C o a I o v m . a. . v Q l I ‘ '0 ‘1 . HI .0“. . f 0 ...l... u farm...” n .. )4... 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