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Hooded Merganser Nest Confirmed
in Cecil County!

In what MWDI believes to be the first evidence of a Hooded Merganser nest in Cecil County, volunteer Jordan Kane's photograph confirms a Hooded Merganser nest in Box #3 at the Elk Forest site. The nest consists of 8 eggs. There is no down yet, but the eggs are covered with some nest material and a few feathers. Jordan reports that 2 eggs were added in roughly 2 days, so it seems active. He'll leave alone and see what happens.

We had 27 of 34 Hooded Merganser nests in 2006 located on the western shore in PG, Montgomery, Charles, Harford, Baltimore Counties, and 7 nests at the Millington in Kent County. One was found in Somerset county in 2007.

I'm sure this is not "THE FIRST HM NEST" in the Cecil County, but it's now documented for all time.

 

 

Jordan Kane and his daughter Rachael have been busy at Elk Forest and the Fair Hill NRMA.
Report from Jordan Kane - March 2, 2009

My daughter and I spent about an hour at Elk Forest Saturday. About 8 hours at Fair Hill NRMA over the summer installing boxes, probably a couple hours later this week there finishing up that site. She loves to help out with this stuff, and it's a great way for us to spend time together and talk about life.

Thanks again for the opportunity to get involved with these projects, it makes for great father, daughter time, and I get to educate people about ducks, and spend quality time outdoors. Just got a copy of your 2009 Site map. Was awesome to see the projects I'm involved with listed. And wow, what an overall view of what your organization does statewide. You guys sure are busy. Let me know when you have time to visit up here, I will try and be available this year to meet with you. - Thanks Again, Jordan

Report from Jordan Kane - March 10, 2009

We got the 3rd box installed at Fair Hill NRMA on Saturday. However, I have some sad news to report. Box #1, which I installed over the Summer was destroyed by what I believe to be flooding. It was installed on an island in the stream and I drove the pole very deep. Raging water can however be quite violent. So I will try to choose an alternate location, and try again at a later date. I was able to salvage the pole ( which I found a hundred yards downstream ) and the mounting block. Unfortunately, the box and predator guard were destroyed. Box #2 is on the pond by the nature center, and Box #3 is in the oxbough off the main stream, and out of the flow of the main creek, so there should be no problem with them. I will get in touch with Mark Hooper this week about the 4th box at Elk Forest. Here are some pics from this weekend. - Thanks, Jordan

Jordan Kane and his daughter, Rachael, install Box #3 at Fair Hill NRMA.