2017 Wood Duck Boxes

[cutman]

There's always something to look forward to if you are an outdoorsman. This time of year trapping season has closed and turkey season is still a couple of weeks away, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. Besides habitat work, I love monitoring wood duck boxes and waiting for the eggs to hatch.

I added 3 boxes this year for a grand total of 7. Two of them are occupied as of now:

One other box had feathers in it and 2 others were empty. I'll check the other 2 tomorrow.


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[Elkaddict]

Cut are you building or buying your boxes? I've got a great several great spots. Silly question: will anything else use the boxes? I've never seen wood ducks on our place (upstate NY).

 

[cutman]

Cut are you building or buying your boxes? I've got a great several great spots. Silly question: will anything else use the boxes? I've never seen wood ducks on our place (upstate NY).

I've always bought them pre-assembled. There are also local programs that provide them (with a predator guard) for free. The 3 I got this year came from the local Fish and Wildlife office (federal) and I also applied for some through the SC DNR. The DNR boxes are built by convicts in jail.

Mergansers will also use the boxes, as will some owls. Other birds (sparrows I think) have been known to carry pine straw in later in the spring and build their nests on top of the woodies. It's important to clean out the boxes after each brood and keep bugs out as well.

 

[Fish]

So the girls just let you snap a pick of them?

 

[E_308]

Nice! I have had a duck box up for years no ducks? We have raised a bunch of bluebirds, the kids love checking the boxes. I think I have 8.

 

[cutman]

So the girls just let you snap a pick of them?

Most of the time, yes. I sneak up on the boxes (sometimes if they hear you coming they fly out) then put my phone inside and snap a picture. The phone is on silent and the flash is on.

The hens are very tolerant of disturbance. If they fly off it's not a big deal...they will be back.

 

[Fish]

Most of the time, yes. I sneak up on the boxes (sometimes if they hear you coming they fly out) then put my phone inside and snap a picture. The phone is on silent and the flash is on.

The hens are very tolerant of disturbance. If they fly off it's not a big deal...they will be back.

Thats very cool.
Someday when the rest of my habitat projects cool off, i am going to help baby ducks grow.

 

[Don M]

We have put out almost 100 over the years in Upstate SC and usually check them first in Jan, to refurbish those that need it, clean the boxes out, and refill clean shavings. You can also count the egg membranes left from last years nesting to get an idea of the hatch on your property. A box check this time of year will usually find nesting hens. We approach the box and quietly cover the hole with a toilet plunger to keep the hens quiet...of course we were banding the hens using the tactic. But lots of fun during a down time of year!.

 

[cutman]

Number 5 has arrived:

Hope they survive this frigid weather.


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[Sam]

Got any pics of where they are hanging?

 

[cutman]

Got any pics of where they are hanging?

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[Sam]

Thanks I'm working on our pond and plan on building boxes.

 

[Triple C]

Cut...Great pics! Love sitting near the swamp late season and listening to the woodies whistle.

 

[cutman]

My boxes have been a disappointment this year. All boxes have/had eggs on them, but they seem to have been abandoned. Some should have hatched by now but I'm seeing no sign of broken eggs or babies.

With the warm February many hens nested early, then we had 48 hours of dry cold temps in march. I wonder if that zapped the eggs...

Though one hasn't given up:

 

[cutman]

Had a successful hatch this week:

Also have a successful hatch happening as we speak. You can see the ducklings starting to poke holes in the shells:

Damn bluebirds took over this box:

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[TreeDaddy]

bluebirds are badass raiders of boxes at my place

bill

 

[Rickey]

I know the box was intended for ducks but bluebirds are my favorite bird. I have no less then ten bluebirds in my backyard daily.