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~, <br />ri~ ~a5r" ~3 <br />~ A ~, <br />d ~p ~ ' a <br />Wood ducks,l3arrow's goldeneyes, emnmon goldeneyes, hooded mergansers, common mergansers <br />and buffleheads are all cavity nesting ducks. They build nests in abandoned woodpecker holes <br />or nahn~al tree cavities caused by disease, fire or lightning. These ducks will also use a wnstructed <br />nesting box. I-Iere are plans Cor a nest box that you can build, install and maintain. The design, <br />which is used by the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing program, may even attract other cavity nesting <br />birds such as kestrels, tree swallows, great crested flycatchers or screech owls. <br />Cedar is ideal* <br />Cedar lumber is recommended because it is nanualty resistant to weather and insects. Yoa can <br />also use any materias you have available such as pate or plywood. The box pictured uses 10.51inear <br />feet of 1"X lo" (3/4" thick by 9 I/4"wide) lumber that is rough on one side (for the inside of the box). <br />*Ducks Unlimited staff in the interior of British Colmnbia indicate that plywood boxes betterwithstand the <br />region's tempcrelnre extremes. <br />Finishing touches <br />Dudes Unlimited does not recommend applying a f Wish to cedar boxes. A finish might hely to <br />extend the life of a plywood box. <br />If you decide to apply a futish to your nest box, use a nontoxic wood preserver or a light shade of <br />an earth tone paint. 1'he duds will find your box by seeing the contrast in color caused by the <br />entry hole. Uo not apply finish inside the box. <br />Cavity nesting ducks do not carry nesting materials. It's important to help them out by placing <br />(our to six inches of wood shavings in the bottom of the iox. You can find wood shavings at your <br />local pet or farm supply store. Uo not use sawdust. IC can suffocate duddings. <br />CansWCting and placing a nest box is a fun project <br />Every year, in the fall after the nesting season bas completed ox in the winter, clean out old nesting that brings years of enjoyment Above: this pole <br />material from tie box and replace it with a fresh layer of wood shavings. This annual cleaning mounted nest box featuresaconital metal predates <br />needs to be a part of your long-term maintenance commimrent once you place your nest box. guard. Below: wend duck drake. <br />.......................................................................................................................................... <br />RROCEDURE <br />Tools needed: handsaw or table saw, drill and 1/2" bitjigsaw, screwdriuersandpaper, pencil, measuring tape, straight-edge <br />MATERIAL MEASUREMENTS - no(lo stale <br />i <br />snra <br />G- <br />I <br />i~_) <br />-~i t <br />~~ <br />.~:,; I i:~::. ~, <br />eo <br />i <br />~.-....~~.~ f <br />~. <br />i s I: i:, i a '' i <br />r l i, ~ a I <br />:-__~ ~_.._) t <br />h..-~ <br />I ruo~ir I <br />~. <br />L_.___~ <br />1) Measure andcu[yourwoodioproduce[hesixpieces.Numberthepiecesasshown.Seetna[erialmeasurements. <br />2) Attach [he back (1) to the side (2) using four screws fastened from [he back o(the box. See exploded view (next page). <br />-'-' 3)Drillfivet/2"drainageholesin[hefloor(3).Attachthefloorbyfasteningtwoscrews <br />through the back and two through the side. <br />4) Draw [he entry hole on the front (4) using a pencil (41/2" x 31 /2"oval). Drill a <br />pilot hole and cut out the entry hole using ajig saw. See detailed view. <br />~~~ , I 5) Scare [he inside face of the front (4) using a saw. <br />The horizontal slots will provide toeholds when <br />~ `"'°" ~ ~"' thetlucklingsclimhoutSeede[ailedview. <br />1 <3 <br />I <br />1 '. Carlh0fl2d... 1° <br />~. ~ <br /> <br />