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MWDI Director Cliff Brown Named
Field & Stream’s March Hero of
Conservation
Wins $500 conservation grant from
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
The final tabulation of
2011 nesting survey is still running late but it’ll be done before the end
of March! The rapidly approaching nest season has created a natural deadline
to prompt final data collection. A modest 3-5% gain in productivity around
the 7,000 duckling level is still anticipated.
I would also refer you to
the final Chicamicomico River inspection results as this is one of MWDI
largest and most challenged project areas in which we have tried to
implement the range of “best practices” with good results.
The very warm temperatures
this winter caused many to report woodies being around through January.
Woodies are also now being seen with increased regularity. Most habitat
areas are presently in very good shape. Soil saturation levels seem pretty
high.
As indicated previously,
MWDI will drop some current sites for lack of productivity and/or attention.
We have added new sites at Kinder Farms (Anne Arundel County) - 5 box
program) and Martinak State Park (Caroline County) - 10 box program).
Several other sites have
had box replacements, additions and relocations involving some 50+ boxes.
MWDI continues to have supplies to support new projects where habitat is
suitable and committed program management is defined.
The 8th Annual Lumber
Cut Day was held at the Millington WMA in Kent County on February
22. Cypress kits for more than 100 boxes were created and 42 bluebird kits
were cut.
The ability to aggregate
MWDI’s lumber needs with private program sponsors and those desiring
bluebird kits helps us achieve for a very cost effective way for everyone to
get quality lumber from SC and inexpensive nesting boxes. (I noticed
recently that one outdoor catalog had WD boxes for $65 plus shipping!) We’ll
continue the practice as long as demand exists.
JM Tawes School will have
25 nest boxes ready to sell in the fall. Contact us if you wish to get on
the pre-sale notification list. They go fast.
MWDI’s kits will be
assembled at various youth oriented events. We wish to thank
Constellation Energy for funding lumber for their event and to the
Chesapeake Chapter of the Safari Club International for their generous
donation to fund the remainder of this year’s lumber needs.
MWDI is always looking for
more volunteers to handle certain projects. Our turnover is a constant as
life’s events happen. 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,
Cliff Brown
Executive Director
Maryland Wood Duck Initiative
Predator Guards For Sale - $15 each
Suitable for wood duck and bluebird nest protection
The Maryland Wood Duck Initiative is an all-volunteer wildlife
conservation effort started in late 2004. Our objectives are to
enhance Maryland’s wood duck population and to generate a greater
appreciation of the wetland habitats in which they live by
advocating and demonstrating the merits of a “best practices”
approach in managed nest programs.
Leveraging these focused efforts on the wood duck, we seek to
provide a
Total Wetlands Experience for our volunteers
and the “next generation” through the development of complementary
educational programs, internships and research projects. |
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