One of the greatest success stories in wildlife management has been the restoration of wood duck populations through the use of artificial nest boxes. The clearing of vast expanses of bottomland hardwoods during this century eliminated a large portion of the wood duck's habitat. Fortunately, the wood duck was rescued by regulations limiting its harvest and the discovery in the 1950s that wood ducks will nest in artificial cavities. Lewis Bays, formerly of the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission, is to be thanked for much of this.
Wood duck nest boxes, when properly placed and maintained, provide a safe, suitable nest site for wood ducks. Improperly placed and maintained nest boxes will experience less use, more nest failures and greater predation than natural cavities. All animals need adequate space in their habitat to ensure their life needs are met. Two to four boxes per acre of wetland is plenty.
The following are some important tips and observations to assist landowners and others in checking and maintaining wood duck boxes. Boxes should be erected on a 10 foot, 4 x 4 post with a conical metal predator guard nailed to the post about 1 foot below the boxes (2 to 3 feet of the post should be driven into the ground).
Boxes should be placed in shallow water (3 feet or less) in a site that can be easily reached by wading or by boat. Placing boxes in water greatly reduces predation. It is important to place the boxes in an area that can be easily accessed to facilitate annual maintenance. Be sure to keep any overhanging limbs and vegetation trimmed back at least 5 feet from the boxes and post to prevent snakes and raccoons from entering the boxes.
Nest boxes must be maintained on an annual basis. This is best done during this time of year when water levels are highest (easy to float a boat), vegetation is knocked down (won't clog the outboard) and the wasps and snakes are hibernating.
Boxes need a 4- to 5-inch layer of fresh wood shavings, sawdust or wood chips placed in them each year prior to the nesting season. This is also a good time to make sure that the predator guard is securely fastened to the post. Winter storms have a habit of shaking things loose. Also, check the condition of the lid, the bottom and the door. Sometimes a couple of nails will hold a box together to get another 2 to 3 years of nesting. Replace lids and bottoms that are rotted or split.
I thoroughly enjoy seeing a wood duck box with downy feathers coming out of the entrance hole knowing that I have contributed to a new crop of our state's most beautiful bird being born and returning to the wild.
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James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a non profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.
