It has always been disappointing that the female wood ducks take the ducklings away as soon as they leave the box. I know they are shy, but I wish I could figure a way to get them to hang around longer. In early spring I have seen as many as a dozen wood ducks on the one acre pond, and I have seen no indication of snapping turtles getting them. The area around the pond is mostly centipede with some oaks and maples on the west side where the boxes are. I don't want it to go completely wild, but I would be interested in suggestions for plantings that would encourage them to hang around.
Last year I started a small auxiliary 30 foot diameter pond to be separated from the main pond with a small dam. But the water came up before I got the dam finished. The eventual plan for the little pond is as a habitat safe from the bass for frogs and other critters. I may move one of the boxes to the middle of the little pond to give the ducklings at least a few minutes of protection.
Any other ideas?
