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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151
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OP
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151 |
I installed a mallard duck tube in shallow water and replaced the bedding material in my wood duck box yesterday.I installed the duck box last year on March 1st and still have not seen any sign of a wood duck.I do have a mating pair of mallards that have been hanging out around the pond.I am hoping they will utilize the new duck tube.I also have three hooded mergansers that are camping out.I hope they will move on before they eat to many fish.I have read that hooded mergansers might utilize wood duck nests (They are fun to watch but I see dollar signs each time they dive for a fish). The GBH has also returned unfortunately.i was hoping that it would get lost and not find its way back.
I guess managing a pond ecosystem can be a challenging and rewarding endeavor.There are so many species of birds and animals that we would like to attract and there seems to be just as many or more species that we would like to eliminate from our pond area
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 274 Likes: 5
Fingerling
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Fingerling
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 274 Likes: 5 |
Nice - did you make the mallard tube yourself?
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
I installed a mallard duck tube in shallow water and replaced the bedding material in my wood duck box yesterday.I installed the duck box last year on March 1st and still have not seen any sign of a wood duck.I do have a mating pair of mallards that have been hanging out around the pond.I am hoping they will utilize the new duck tube.I also have three hooded mergansers that are camping out.I hope they will move on before they eat to many fish.I have read that hooded mergansers might utilize wood duck nests (They are fun to watch but I see dollar signs each time they dive for a fish). The GBH has also returned unfortunately.i was hoping that it would get lost and not find its way back.
I guess managing a pond ecosystem can be a challenging and rewarding endeavor.There are so many species of birds and animals that we would like to attract and there seems to be just as many or more species that we would like to eliminate from our pond area Tubguy, Please post a pic of your Mallard tube. This time of year we also get a lot of visitors. A week ago it was a pair of Buffleheads that stayed for one day and spent the entire time diving (I assume for snails). Then two pair of Hooded Megansers stayed for a day (I assume diving for small fish and snails). Mallards and Woodies are in and out. I throw pellets to the Geese and GBH when they show up.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151
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OP
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151 |
Red I did make the duck tube out of some old leftover fence that I had. There are several online how to videos on making mallard or "duck" tubes.I did not get a chance to take pictures because we were rushing to beat a thunderstorm. I will try to post pictures tomorrow or Tuesday. It only took about 15 minutes to make the actual tube but setting the post in the water and mounting the tube was a little tricky. I drove a 10ft 1.25 inch galvanized pipe in about 3 ft of water while standing on a paddle boat. I then screwed a 1.25 inch pipe floor flange to a composite stair tread ,mounted the tube to the tread with deck screws and galvanized wire then screwed the floor flange on the pipe. I probably will add another section of pipe and drive the post deeper to make the tube more stable at a later date.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151
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OP
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151 |
Bill my GBH is real skittish and takes of flying when I get within 75 yards or so.I do have a couple mating pair of Canadian geese that will almost let you walk up to them. I would like to keep the mallards and attract some wood ducks. I would like to see the GBH go though. I caught three bass last year that had been stabbed by the heron.I could also do without all the goose "crapnel"slung everywhere . I will take some pictures of the duck tube and post them within the next couple days. There is a lot of online DIY videos on building and placing duck tubes.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151
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OP
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151 |
Last edited by tubguy; 03/29/17 02:57 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
Thanks for posting the pics! Is there a certain angle the nests should be mounted at and direction they should face?
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,897 Likes: 146
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,897 Likes: 146 |
This link might give helpful info! Mallard tube info
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151
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OP
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 151 |
Thanks for the link Canyon!
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596 Likes: 28
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596 Likes: 28 |
Just a odd coincidence but after a hard storm with 1 and 1/2 inch rain yesterday...a pair of mallards showed up on my pond this morning. First mallard I have seen here in over 2 years. My question is would it be worth me building one of these mallard nesting pipes down here in deep east Texas? Is this their nesting time? Am I too late for this year? Or do most just go back north to nest? I have built wood duck houses and bat houses so wouldn't mind building one if yall thought they would use it.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
We have a pair showing up every day right now. I am not sure where they are nesting yet but must be in the long grass near by. They are funny to watch. They will sit on the log then jump into the pond and play in the aeration boil then back to the log. This gos on most of the day then roost in their nest where ever they have it.
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