Three beaver ponds of varying ages in the westernmost county of Maryland, situated in the Allegheny plateau, were examined for diversity and abundance of aquatic invertebrates and plants, and for a number of chemical and physical parameters. An evaluation of feeding habits was conducted utilizing crop analysis on ten wild-strain mallard ducklings, which were purchased for the study. The invertebrate component of the crops was low, with plant materials and grit being main constituents. The ducklings actively pursued invertebrates, particularly grasshoppers and other terrestrial insects on the pond fringes. Rearing diet of the ducklings and other factors probably altered feeding behaviour. Overall productivity and suitability of the ponds for waterfowl brooding was considered average to good.
Keywords: parameters, ducklings
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA