Wood Duck nestbox project

[Canso]

Once again, the Pit####erfowlers have great results after all the hard work they put in a month ago.
We have 25 volunteers, mostly guys we’ve met out hunting and kept in touch with.
Kent Cartridge, Reliable Gun in Vancouver, SureShot gamecalls, and Bote-Tote have all stepped up in some way to help us continue our project with reduced costs to those of us running it! Thanks for the support!!!

 

[Canso]

 

[FLHTCUI]

Looking forward to this yearly success thread.
Thank You.
Rob

 

[Shwaggy]

Tremendous!

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Excellent!
I was just reading that they can have two broods per year some places if you clean out the box right after the first brood.
Was thinking of setting up one or two on my small ponds here.

 

[gallen270]

What's the dimensions

 

[Canso]

We’ve modified this plan to make it easier to clean out.
It’s important to keep the cuts leading up to the front hole shallow and close together (no more than a half inch).
PM me and I’ll email the changes we made, heading out right now.

 

[elimsprint]

Great thread and pics as usual, way to go Canso

 

[Slug870]

Do you use 1/2" plywood?
Is the entry hole actually oval? (I'm unsure from the plans)
Any treatment/finish to the wood?
What do you place inside?
Lastly, is there a specific height off the ground/water that you've had the most success with?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is something I think I'd like to do. I think the step-daughters would enjoy the project as well.

Thank you.

 

[Canso]

We used plywood and it will last 4-5 years. No stain although outside would be ok. Hole is 3” and rounded at the side so it’s actually oval.
I use wood chips I bought at my co-op. Don’t use sawdust as it fills the pours in the egg shell and will suffocate the growing chick.
For height, I like it high enough I can still check with my phone. We use steel poles, if you use wood you’ll have to put up a predator guard.
I prefer over water or close too.

 

[redbirddog]

good for you guys! The birds need all the help they can get.

 

[hoytcanon]

Good job.

 

[Slug870]

We used plywood and it will last 4-5 years. No stain although outside would be ok. Hole is 3” and rounded at the side so it’s actually oval.
I use wood chips I bought at my co-op. Don’t use sawdust as it fills the pours in the egg shell and will suffocate the growing chick.
For height, I like it high enough I can still check with my phone. We use steel poles, if you use wood you’ll have to put up a predator guard.
I prefer over water or close too.

Thank you for the info!

And great work with this project!

 

[made in bc]

Good job. Look forward to this thread every year.

 

[Shwaggy]

I'm thinking of milling some Eastern White Cedar to make a few of these for around the property. Is it a matter of build it and they will come? Or do they need to be situated to where the birds already are?

 

[Suther]

Love the work you do! Also love the pictures!

If you're ever in need of another volunteer shoot me a PM, would love to lend a hand to someone who is doing so much good work!

 

[restless]

Excellent work, always nice to see!

 

[Jaylegger]

Good stuff. Though extremely rare in my area, I've had a couple wood ducks on my property for the last year but I'm not sure where they are roosting. Will make one or two of these boxes to help out.

 

[Canso]

Swaggy, Put it where they are for best success but we keep putting them in areas we don’t see them and the do seem to find them!
Take into account a clear flight in, facing sun most of the day if possible, and if they can exit over or near water.

 

[Canso]

They will find and use it!
Good luck!

Good stuff. Though extremely rare in my area, I've had a couple wood ducks on my property for the last year but I'm not sure where they are roosting. Will make one or two of these boxes to help out.