While wood ducks are wintering in warm, southern climes, MassWildlife biologists and technicians are braving chilly winter temperatures on icy ponds, marshes, and other wetlands evaluating the condition of wood duck boxes and replacing boxes (or box parts) that are missing or in disrepair. No one should stand in a boat trying to pound a bird box pole into the mud; that’s why the dead of winter is the best time to repair and renovate!
MassWildlife Technician Jacob Morris-Seigel captured this image of his co-worker, Nancy Dewkett, who is replacing an old wood duck box on Scace Pond in Richmond with the new box in the sled.
Wood ducks, the most colorful duck that nests in the Bay State, make their homes in tree cavities. Under natural conditions wood ducks (and hooded mergansers) build their nests in holes or rotted hollows they find in old or damaged trees. There aren’t always many of these trees in or near water. Fortunately, the wood duck will accept artificial housing, provided it meets certain basic requirements of size and safety.
If you are inspired to build a wood duck box, use the same plans MassWildlife uses—the design meets the needs of the ducks (thanks to the biologists who tried out innumerable experimental box designs), it’s easy to swap out parts, and the predator guard keeps hungry raccoons and other predators from reaching in to grab eggs. Be sure to use rough-cut pine lumber as it is inexpensive, lightweight, and - most importantly - provides footholds for the ducklings when they are ready to leave the box and take their first swim.
Wood duck information and box building plans.
The image of the colorful drake (male) wood duck was taken by MassWildlife’s staff photographer, Bill Byrne.
@Fish Pond Leaks - Thanks for your interest in wood duck housing. Make sure that your wood duck box is mounted near a water body, not in the middle of the forest, otherwise a hen wood duck won't find it. Besides, once the young ducklings leave the nest they have to head for water and they don't need a long hike where predators might get them.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Marion Larson | 02/04/2011 at 04:14 PM
Sure enough, as I drove past Delaney WMA yesterday, I saw a MassWildlife pickup parked on the side of the road, drag marks from a sled going down to the water, and a freshly-installed wood duck box out on the pond. To all the MassWildlife employees who were out working on the coldest day of the year, a huge THANK YOU!
Posted by: Dan Foster | 01/25/2011 at 12:18 PM
Its amazing to read about the duck boxes, i never heard about them, i have some extra woods in my back yard, i think i can make these boxes easily, thanks for ideas.
Posted by: Fish Pond Leaks | 01/21/2011 at 11:55 PM