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Please Review our June 2011 Activity Report
Wood Duck Boxes
for Sale!
Predator Guards For Sale - $14 each Nest inspections are continuing, hopefully in earnest as the weather has cooled. 46% of the estimated 1800+ boxes and 50% of the 76 sites have yet to fully report the nesting results. This always gives me heart palpitations, but then I remind myself that MWDI is all volunteer!! Data from the largest projects is almost fully in hand and 2011 seems like it may be a little less robust than I indicated earlier, with a 3-5% gain over the estimated 7,000 ducklings in 2010 seeming most likely. All the wet weather we have had lately might have been a bit late for many duckling broods, but the pre-migration habitat is incredible. Limited observations of the pre-migration build suggested a “moderate” survival / production experience as compared to past years to the extent that this very unscientific perception has any relevance! It does appear that some of Maryland’s woodies have certainly headed south or perhaps dispersed more broadly given the expanded habitat scenario as of October 1. Once the 2011 statewide survey is completed, MWDI will probably drop some sites for lack of productivity and/or attention. Alternatively, or in conjunction with this re-orientation, we may establish primary and secondary site classifications for the public sites to reflect pragmatic inspections, habitat and other “Best Practice” considerations. About 12-20 sites involving 200+/- boxes may be affected by these steps. Duckling production in these sites is relatively poor at .8 per functional box and they are simply not efficient enough to try and manage. MWDI has supplies to support new projects where habitat is suitable and committed program management is defined, but we need to focus our efforts where we get the best results, as time is indeed limited. MWDI hopes to expand its private program outreach, assistance and data collection while maintaining a moderate degree of youth-oriented and educational activities. More research into USF&W wood duck population, breeding pairs and harvest estimates is planned. Having a more definitive private sector production estimate to add to the public sites production could be useful in trying to reconcile artificial nesting results with the USF&W estimates, which are largely derived from banding recoveries and various assumptions and algorithms. The youth oriented box assembly event at DNR’s National Hunting & Fishing Day went as planned. The Chestertown Wildlife Exhibition box assembly event is October 15th, the Maret School Community Service Day event is November 6th (famous for their camo box finishes!) and we have two scout events being planned. MWDI is again coordinating box sales for Tawes School and there are a few boxes left. MWDI will likely order cypress in late December again so look for our flyer or contact us. Wood, kits and boxes will all be available in late February / early March from this order if you miss out on the Tawes boxes. MDWFA has predator guards available (See website information for details). Special recognition is due Safari Club International, Constellation Energy and the Chestertown Wildlife Exhibition who have contributed funds to support MWDI’s lumber purchases later this year. Specific details will follow. Delta Waterfowl has also provided MWDI with 15 assembled boxes (again) for which we are very grateful. We are especially indebted to Scott Jasion for his remarkable talent and effort in scrounging up used metal poles for our use. MWDI is always looking for more volunteers to handle certain projects. Our turnover is a constant as life’s events happen. Several new managers have been obtained during the past several months and a very zealous intern has joined us (See Dave Dickson highlight!). Please contact MWDI if you have interest to be involved. The continued support of our volunteers is critical and we truly appreciate the efforts. Thank you all. Sincerely,
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This page updated on December 15, 2011