I just built and put up my first wood duck nesting box yesterday. It is mounted on a 4x4 wood post. My question is do I put wood shavings or chips in it now or wait until closer to spring? If the birds come when will they start checking the box out? Also I am having a hard time finding any 36 inch sheet metal to make a predator guard. Any suggestions?

see this thread for more ideas and discussion with pictures.

Wood Ducks

The man who gave me his plans (linked in that thread too.) said they prefer aspen shavings over cedar, not sure why. He didn't mention when to put the shavings in though.

Sounds like other PB members had success attracting woodies with decoys.

i also see them always mounted low to the ground just above the pond water but in nature I understand they often are 15-20-30 feet up in the trees. I wonder if trying to mount a box higher in a stand of trees where there is some protection might work too?

Scrap aluminum flashing if you can get it.

Any HVAC contractor should be able to hook you up with what you need.

Go ahead and put the wood shavings in now. Not more than 2 or 3 inches or some eggs will get lost in the shavings. A predator guard is a must. Also, the area inside below the opening must have a rough surface or 1/4" wire mesh attached for the ducklings to climb out. I just cut shallow slits with a skill saw. I do the same on the outside so the hen can grip on and look inside is the wood is smooth. They only do this when first investigating the house, once they are nesting they will fly right in. I'm always amazed they don't bust right out of the back of the house when coming in at full speed. I have 13 house now and I call them time share units as Screech Owls will use them in the winter. I always use cedar shavings, I've been told that cedar deters insects.

Agree with Woodster's comments above. I have 10 houses and the Woodies definitely utilize them, along with the occasional owl.
The houses require appropriate design, positioning and upkeep and there are lots of sources on the web that provide detailed information along those lines. I see definite increases in the Wood duck population as a result of placeing the houses on my lake and ponds. Have fun with it!
Here are two sources for Wood duck houses and pole guards that I found useful.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/pr...CFQ6EaQodCosGDg

http://woodducknestboxes.com/duck.html

laxbro, can you give some advice on how I could use existing trees to mount rather than sinking poles in my pond? I see them mostly mounted on steel poles in the pond but we like to skate on the pond. I have a lot of trees right next to the pond. So how far into the tree line (back from the water edge and into the cover of trees?) do we mount the boxes? How high off the ground?

Then the challenge would be to protect from predators since they could easily climb the tree from under the duck box or perhaps even from above the box? How do you best protect a tree mounted box?

Most of the information regarding box placement suggests that placement on poles keeps predators from reaching the nest. Also, the boxes on poles makes it easier for maintenance, observation. As for putting the box over water- I don't think that's essential. The box on a pole needs to be in the correct habitat, near or very close to water, not neccessarily on it. My boxes are right on the waterline on the bank. The ducks still like it and it's easier to get to.

Also, habitat is key regarding placement. The woody end of the lake is better, and with clear flight paths to the box opening is suggested. My boxes are mounted on 2 inch galvanized poles, on average 6 feet to the bottom of the box. I put the pole guards about a foot from the bottom of the box. My guards "swing" making them unstable when something attempts to climb over them.

some old discussion