Dono, here is a link to the one I just made using cedar. Talks about placement, what to put in it, and viable pred guards.

liquidsquid, based on what I have read is you do not need a pond. They like marshes and overgrown grass areas. I am not convinced I will have any luck attracting the ducks these first few seasons until the vegetation gets established. IMO the marshy overgrowth is more important than the water.

Scott, I will definitely give that a try but based on your explanation it does not sound very promising. Oh well, still will be fun to play with.