There are several ways to give back to nature. February is a good time of year to start and with a simple way. It is now time to start placing wood duck boxes for spring. Wood ducks nest in trees and in artificial boxes. Well placed wood duck boxes that are built properly can not only attract wood ducks to your swamp or pond, but can also help the overall population. Protecting the wood duck boxes is as important as the design. Predators will climb into the boxes and eat the eggs. Make sure that you put some form of protection up to keep out raccoons and other predators. The most widely used form is the metal cone, although there are other acceptable forms including three foot strips of plastic or metal. These strips are placed above and below the box with screws only in the top and bottom of the strip.
Dimensions for a wood duck box are important as well. The best designs are 24″ tall, 10″ wide, and 8″ deep. The entrance to the box should be a 4″ circle cut approximately 4 inches from the top of the box and in the front. Cutting slits or scoring the inside front (be sure not to cut all the way through) are used as “steps” for the ducklings to climb out. The box should have a removable front to clean out at each fall or winter. Place 4-6″ of wood shavings in the box to be used as nesting material. The height of the box from the water isn’t as important as privacy. Wood ducks prefer not to be bothered. Place these boxes in a secluded area. Boxes can be hung on dead trees or poles in the water. Although it isn’t necessary to get the box over the water, as close as possible is preferable. We can provide specific step by step directions for those that would like them.
Take some time now the season is over to give back to nature. Make and place one or two wood duck boxes or maintain those that you already have in place. Wood duck boxes can also be purchased and shipped to your location. Email us at dirtroaddispatch@ymail.com for more information.
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