Duck Box
When we moved here in 1985, I built a duck box and put it out in the lake. We had several clutches of ducks over the
years and they provide many hours of enjoyment watching them. One of my first projects from my new shop was
building another one. The Florida standards are very exacting and the FL Freshwater Commission will actually come
and remove them. I installed ours less than a week ago and this morning we looked out and a duck was checking it out.
The mallard daddy duck was swimming around and then got on our dock. We hope to get one for the first clutch of this
year. They have up to 15 chicks,. It is sad to see the number dwindle as the alligators get them. They swim in a line
behind the mother, During the egg incubation time, the mother leaves the nest in the morning and the afternoon to feed.
years and they provide many hours of enjoyment watching them. One of my first projects from my new shop was
building another one. The Florida standards are very exacting and the FL Freshwater Commission will actually come
and remove them. I installed ours less than a week ago and this morning we looked out and a duck was checking it out.
The mallard daddy duck was swimming around and then got on our dock. We hope to get one for the first clutch of this
year. They have up to 15 chicks,. It is sad to see the number dwindle as the alligators get them. They swim in a line
behind the mother, During the egg incubation time, the mother leaves the nest in the morning and the afternoon to feed.
Installing the duck box, I intend to do some more. They are very easy to build from plans on the internet. I have now cut down the cattails
between our house and the box so we can see it easily.
between our house and the box so we can see it easily.
This is Bitsy, Nancy's boss's dog that we have been dog sitting
sometimes. She is very smart and fun to have around the house.
sometimes. She is very smart and fun to have around the house.
Mommy duck checking out the new nesting box. She staid about 10
minutes. The hole size is 4" by 3" is exactly according to the
regulations, but everybody says it is too small. I have seen them do it. It
is also too small for raccoons.
minutes. The hole size is 4" by 3" is exactly according to the
regulations, but everybody says it is too small. I have seen them do it. It
is also too small for raccoons.
Daddy Duck, a beautiful green headed mallard swam around while Mommy checked out
the box and then got on the dock.
the box and then got on the dock.
This mallard pair stayed around the duck box for a bout 2 hours this morning (04/10/11).
We keep hoping they will move in.
We keep hoping they will move in.
Moved over to the dock. Cooing and doing a lot of head bobbing.
Spent some time grubbing in the yard. They are inseparable.
The Great Blue Herons were doing some courting also. Spring is in the air.
The male ruffled up his feathers and strutted around on the dock handrail trying to impress this female. The female ran off another female.
This guy was hot to trot. Living on the lake is better than TV.
The limpkins and egrets were pairing up also.
04/10/11
04/10/11