Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - What is the Main Reason for Wood Duck Boxes?

I finally made it out to the farm today and saw two pairs of ducks together on the creek. I think they were blue-winged teal.

I then saw an egg shell on a sandbar with no visible nest anywhere nearby. That made me wonder how a duck nest on the ground could possibly survive against being raided by the abundant raccoons in the area.

What is the main reason people put up wood duck boxes?

Is it because they ONLY nest in a cavity, or will wood ducks utilize a ground nest if they can't find a suitable tree cavity?

If I put up some wood duck boxes that do not get used by wood ducks (which I only rarely see at our farm), will other species of dabbling ducks use the boxes?

If I do put up some boxes I could easily drive some posts in my streambed. Would 4-6" of running water keep out the raccoons? Would a pool 3-4' deep keep out the raccoons?

Thanks for any advice from the experts. Our creek is heavily tree lined - so when I do observe ducks living there, I always feel like they are there for protection. If the area is truly a refuge for them, I would at least like them to have a better chance at raising a family!

P.S. If most of the other ducks I am likely to see in southern Kansas are all ground nesting ducks, is there anything humans can do for those species to help protect the eggs and the ducklings?

Thanks,
FishinRod

?? They can't "reach around" that cone. No way to "climb over". Stops them cold.

Of course you can always do a vertical envelopment. 🤣 an old paratrooper.

Now if we can just learn what Hummingbird Feeders are for.

Hi Rod,

I usually take a plasma cutter and knock a rough 2.25” hole in the center of the disk blade if I’m using a 2” mounting pipe for the duck box. I then take and drill a .375” hole or similar hole in the mounting pipe where I want the disk blade to sit. I insert a 3” - 4” long bolt into the hole so the disk blade can’t slide down the pipe any further than the bolt. I think the disk blades I’m using are around 20” - 24” diameter but that isn’t really critical, a blade as small as 12” would likely work. Thanks.

Bryan

I frequently see hundreds of raccoon tracks at the edge of my creek where they have been eating crayfish and clams.

If I supplied them with some Tabasco, I am worried I would go down to the creek one evening and see huge steaming stainless steel pots while the raccoons were cooking their etouffee!