| WEB-EXTRA: Duck Nest-Boxes -- Plans and Tips |
From "The Outdoor Zone"
episode TOZ-105 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Cavity-nesting ducks such as wood ducks, golden-eyes, mergansers and buffleheads build nests in abandoned woodpecker nests or in natural tree-cavities formed by disease, fire or lightning. These species of ducks will also use nest boxes (figure A). In order to effectively attract waterfowl to nest-boxes, the boxes should be constructed according to certain specifications for size, dimensions, material, etc. The sportsman's hunting and conservation organization, Ducks Unlimited, provides detailed information on building nest boxes that offer safe and suitable shelter for nesting ducks. Following are lists of tools, materials and plans for building a nest box according to the recommendations of the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Program. This nest box is suitable for the types of ducks mentioned, and may also attract other bird species such as flycatchers, tree-swallows, owls and kestrels. Ducks Unlimited's exact plans -- including diagrams, measurements and instructions for building predator guards -- may be accessed by going to Ducks Unlimited's website and typing "nestbox" in their search feature.
Or click here to download an Adobe Acrobat file for Duck's Unlimited's plans and diagrams.
Materials: 1x10 cedar lumber cut to the following dimensions (figure B):
-Back piece: 31" x 9-1/4"
-Side piece (fixed): 23-1/2" x 9-1/4"
-Side piece (hinge-mounted): 23-1/2" x 9-1/4"
-Front piece: 23-1/2" x 9-1/4"
-Roof: 14" x 9-1/4"
-Floor: : 7-3/4" x 9-1/4"
Hand saw or table saw
Hand drill; 1/2-inch drill-bit
Jig saw
Galvanized screws
Screwdriver (or drill screwdriver-attachment)
Sandpaper
Pencil
Straight-edge
Measuring tape
The nest box consists of: - A slanted roof;
- a back wall (which also serves for mounting the box to a tree or post);
- a front with a round entry hole;
- a fixed side-piece, and
- a side-piece mounted so that it is hinged at the top, allowing access for cleaning the nest.
Building Procedures Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection -- goggles or safety glasses -- when cutting wood or working with power tools. - Measure and pre-cut your wood to produce six pieces, according to the measurements given above.
- Attach the back-piece to the fixed side-piece using four screws.
- Drill five 1/2" holes in the floor-piece using a hand-drill and 1/2" drill bit.
- Attach the floor, securing it with two screws through the back and two through the side.
- Using a pencil, make layout marks for the entry hole on the front piece. The entry hole should be oval, 3-1/2" tall by 4-1/2" wide. The hole should be located 3-1/4" down from the top edge of the front piece, and centered left-to-right.
- Drill a pilot hole in the center of the layout marking, then cut out the hole using a jig saw.
- Use a saw to score the inside face of the front piece. The scored slots will provide toeholds for when the ducklings are ready to climb out and leave the nest box.
- Attach the front piece using six screws.
- Round the top, outside edge of the door using sandpaper.
- Fasten the hinged side-piece near the top, with one screw from the front and one from the back. The two screws form the hinge, and allow the side-piece to act as a door that can be swung open. Pin the door shut at the at the bottom-front with a single nail. The nail should be driven in only halfway so that it can be removed and the door opened for cleaning.
- Attach the roof using four screws from the top and three from the back, being careful not to screw into the hinged door.
- The box is now ready to install (figure C).
Nest-Box Tips - Cedar lumber is recommended since it is naturally resistant to weather and insects. You can also use pine or plywood. If you use plywood, use exterior grade that is smooth on one side (use for the exterior of the box) and rough on the other (used for the interior of the box).
- Ducks Unlimited does not recommend using a wood preservative or finish for cedar boxes. A finish may help extend the life of plywood boxes, however. If you decide to use a finish, make sure that you use a non-toxic wood preserver, or an earth-tone shade of exterior paint. Do not apply finish inside the box.
- Cavity-nesting ducks do not carry nesting materials. You can help them out by placing 4 to 5 inches of wood shavings in the bottom of the box. Cedar or pine shavings can be purchased from pet or farm-supply stores. Do not use sawdust in the box as it may suffocate the ducklings.
- Each fall, after the nesting season is over, open the next-box by means of the hinged side-door, and replace the nesting material with fresh wood shavings.
- To attract cavity-nesting waterfowl, place nest boxes in or near wooded wetlands that contain water year-round or, at least, throughout the summer. Nest boxes may also be placed along riverbanks, stream-banks or lake shorelines.
- Placement. Nest boxes can be mounted on tree trunks or on steel poles beside the water or above the water.
- Good placement: Mounted on a dead tree at the water's edge;
- Better: Mounted to a solid tree in the water;
- Best: On wood or metal poles near flooded areas with standing, dead trees.
- Boxes should be placed above typical high-water levels, and at a height that will allow you access for monitoring and maintenance (about 4 to 6 feet above the water).
- Clear an unobstructed flight path to the entrance of your nest box by removing branches that may be in the way.
- The entrance hole of the nest box should face the water.
- You may want to angle the box slightly forward when mounting to make it easier for the ducklings to reach the exit/entry hole when they're ready to leave the nest.
RESOURCES :
National Audubon Society
700 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 979-3000
Fax: (212) 979-3188
Web site: www.audubon.org
Stokes Birdhouse Book: The Complete Guide to Attracting Nesting Birds
Model: 0316817147
Author: Donald W. Stokes, Lillian Q. Stokes
Little Brown and Company (Time Warner, Inc.)
New York, NY 10020
Phone: 212-522-8700
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Inc.
Website: www.ducks.org
161 Waterfowling Secrets: Waterfowling Tips and Advice from Ducks Unlimited Members
Model: 0961727926
Author: Ducks Unlimited Magazine staff, Matt Young (Ed)
Full title: 161 Waterfowling Secrets: Time-Honored, Field-Tested Waterfowling Tips and Advice from Ducks Unlimited Members
Ducks Unlimited Inc.
Website: www.ducks.org
Duck Hunting (Hunting & Fishing Library)
Model: 0865730652
Author: Dick Sternberg, Jeff Simpson
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
Successful Duck Hunting: A Look into the Heart of Waterfowling
Model: 0873492153
Author: M. D. Johnson, Julia Johnson (Photographer)
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
North American Waterfowl (National Audubon Society Pocket Guides)
Model: 0679749241
Author: Richard K. Walton
Random House (Alfred A. Knopf Inc., Villard Books, Times Books, Shambhala Publications, Ballantine B
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: 410-848-1900
Fax: 800-659-2436
Email: customerservice@randomhouse.com
| 
)
)
)
)
