James L. Baker

Gizzards from 9,632 ducks bagged by hunters on or adjacent to 4 National Wildlife Refuges in Florida from 1973 through 1978 were examined for ingested lead and steel shot. Lead and/or steel shot were found in 197.4% of the 15 species represented. Mean ingestion rates ranged from more than 50% for both canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) and ruddy ducks (Oxyurajamaicensis) to less than 10% for lesser scaups (A. affinis), green-winged teals (Anas crecca), blue-winged teals (A. discors), wigeons (A. americana), gadwalls (A. strepera), shovelers (A. c1ypeata) and fulvous whistling ducks (...

Numbers, movements, and habitat of the Dusky Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima nigrescens) were investigated during 1972-1973 on the newly established St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge. Numbers declined from 110 males in 1972 to 54 in 1973. This decrease was probably due to 2 winter wildfires. Observations of banded individuals indicated that the bird is generally sedentary throughout the year and that preferred winter habitat is similar to breeding habitat. Cordgrass (Spartina bakerii), with a mean percent cover of 38.1±16.3, was dominant over the 22 other plant species on the...

Two methods were used to determine survival. In 1968, newly hatched ducklings were web-tagged and subsequently recaptured. The survival rate from hatching to flight stage was 56%, In 1969, direct observation was the method used. Observations of 77 broods revealed a 52% survival from hatching to six weeks of age, with 74% of the total mortality occuring during the first two weeks after hatching.