Program Notes from December 14, 2004 Meeting of LKWA
The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Rick Persson, at 6:00pm at the DNR office in Janesville.
The entire meeting was devoted to a discussion, led by Linn Deusterbeck about the design, placement, care and monitoring of wood duck nest boxes. Harv Kucaba, from the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin was scheduled to speak about bluebird nest boxes, but was unable to attend.
Linn reviewed placement, either over water or in the woods. Boxes over water should be tall enough to avoid flooding. Boxes on land can be low enough to reach for monitoring. The box should not face east.
Predator protection includes the use of steel poles or brackets if mounting on a tree. also, tin roofing prevents chewing by raccoons. Can also use cheap rolls of metal to wrap around trees.
Boxes should be placed before March 1 and should be monitored, if possible for signs of predation or use by other birds (starlings, sparrows or wrens). To inspect the nest, wait until the bird leaves in the morning (about 9-10 am) and open carefully. If starlings are a serious problem, traps are available.
The boxes should be checked at least once a year to determine nesting success (count eggs that are hatched, broken by predators or not hatched). If the nest is not used, consider relocation.
Sawdust is better bedding than shavings. Do not use cedar or walnut.
Clean the boxes in the fall or winter. If you monitor closely, you can clean them as soon as the ducklings leave the nest. Often the nest box will be used again the same season.
The next meeting will be January 22 (Saturday morning) at the Newville DNR Field Station. We will start at 10:00 am. After assembling wood duck and bluebird nest boxes we will have brats and hot dogs for lunch.
The boxes will be pre-cut by Bill Bendig and Wayne Dallman. Don Bush will bring a roll of metal for the rooftops, and a hole cutter.
We decided that each box with pole would be $35.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Shackelford