I cleaned out our wood duck boxes yesterday in advance of the big thaw. My old wooden boxes that have been up since 1999 were all successful in producing ducks. I experimented with some new PVC boxes, putting them up last winter. None of the new boxes produced any ducks. I'll give them another year to see if there is any improvement, and if not, I'll relocate them to different spots. I always enjoy this winter activity. It is fun to see which boxes did well. A couple times when opening boxes, I've found screech owls roosting inside.
Wisconsin Woody, Great post. When I had my place in the country I had a slough just north of me. The south end of the slough abutted my land. I had about a half dozen Wood Duck boxes. I would get 3 to 5 nests each year. Gosh, do I miss that about my old place. Maybe tomorrow afternoon I should take a drive out and check the boxes. I doubt the new owner has a clue what those even are. I never seen a screech owl in any though. But, your right that is about the size of a screech owl. Great warm Chinook wind this afternoon bought very mild air for a nice change of pace. That alone will get the ducks making their way back home.
Wisconsin Woody, not with wood ducks but bluebirds and bluebird boxes. They are fun too and like the wood ducks the boxes help give them much needed nesting sites.
Really cool! We have 2 ducks below the cliff, not sure if their the same ones every year, but would enjoy making a few none the less. The creek below the property holds ducks often. Ill need to do some research.
Hickory - I've got a lot of bluebird boxes out too. We always get a few that are utilized by bluebirds, and a lot utilized by tree swallows. I'll begin cleaning those out in a couple weeks. Being able to move around on the ice makes the timing of wood duck box work pretty important.
Good stuff! Ok, maybe off topic a smidge, but while picking wild asparagus, I routinely come across a Mallard nest in the same area every Spring....in tall grass, right near one of my "honey holes." I spooked Mama once and made note of it, let that spot go since
