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Post by Dan on Jan 3, 2008 18:58:25 GMT -5
Well every winter we go clean out the Duck nesting boxes for the Fort Erie Conservation Club. Just pop open the bottom, scrape the bird droppings and sawdust all over yourself, close the bottom back up and restuff it with wood shavings. Wish it were that easy. Last year while opening a duck box I had a raccoon fall onto my shoulder. We find hyper squirrels and sleepy owls too. Most owls are screech owls but I think today's find was something different. This video was taken at the clubhouse on Ott Rd in Stevensville. If you drive about 100 feet past the club the box is on your left. Please don't harass this owl but bring a pair of binoculars so you can see it warming up in the mid day sun. Yesterday we erected a brand new box for the friends of Fort Erie's Creeks on Petit Rd near the highway on Frenchman's Creek. These boxes are supposed to be for wood ducks but seeing as the owls like them, we hung this one high. It faces South in order to get as much mid day sun to warm the owl in the winter months. This also keeps the prevailing West wind from filling the box with sleet and rain. Facing the road isn't bad either because next fall when an owl moves in, it will make a great advertisement for the group who put it there. These were my volunteers today. Most of the volunteers these days are too old to climb a ladder so seeing as everyone else was busy, these guys got their shot. Thanks guys Well there are still many boxes to be cleaned in Fort Erie plus I have at least 6 new ones to hang. If anyone is interested in helping, just reply to this post and I will let you know when I'm heading out to do the rest. Dan
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Post by chrisk on Jan 4, 2008 7:40:24 GMT -5
Wow Dan that's awesome.
This late fall there were many owls down in the Glenn calling before dawn. I wonder if these boxes would go over well with Niagara Parks. It can't hurt to ask. Do you have the dimensions handy for this setup? I'd like to out a few up around the end of the escarpment off Glendale ave. Lots of Bats that could use some help around my neighborhood.
Chris
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Post by Dan on Jan 7, 2008 23:11:45 GMT -5
Hey Chris I'll try and post the dimensions soon. We also sell bat boxes. These need to be different because the bats prefer very cramped spaces and wouldn't take to a duck box. There are many different sizes of wood ducks boxes but the size of the hole is important.
If putting them up for wood ducks you also have to target their habitat. If putting them up for owls they don't need to be in a wetland or near a creek. Most of our duck boxes can only be cleaned in February because they hang directly over the water.
I've learned if you hang them in a willow over a creek they are inhabited by honey bees. Good thing to know when the bees are suffering as they have in recent years.
I would however like to suggest to anyone who cleans these boxes to wear a dust mask. There is allot of crap that comes down on you which isn't healthy. Last year I got a little too much and by the end of the evening was flat on my back with flu like symptoms.
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Post by chrisk on Jan 9, 2008 3:03:44 GMT -5
Awesome thanks Dan. When ever you get around to the dimensions I would like them for various sized applications(bats, owls, wood ducks etc). A great summer project that will keep me busy during the off Steelhead season.
Chris
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jwl
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by jwl on Jan 18, 2008 13:54:56 GMT -5
Hi Dan, keep me filled in a bit on when you plan on resuming cleaning the duck boxes again,it should be cold enough to freeze up some of the creeks again
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Post by Dan on Jan 23, 2008 11:25:57 GMT -5
Hey Chris I've been really busy but last night one of the Fort Erie executives said they'll photocopy the blueprint and we'll send it out to you. If you want we meet on Feb 5th at the Stevensville CA. You could always grab it then too. Guest speaker will be Joe Kenney and he will be giving us a histirical run down PPP on snakes of Niagaras past and present. If you'd like me to mail it, send me a pm and when I get it, you'll be the first to know Dan
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Post by chrisk on Jan 24, 2008 7:35:22 GMT -5
Thanks Dan. Not sure if I can make it to Stevensville on the 5th. If yes, I'll get back to you ASAP. Otherwise my addy is below.
Chris Kitchen 410-16 Tremont Drive St.Catharines, On L2T3A9
camkitchen@gmail.com
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Post by Dan on Jan 27, 2008 20:37:24 GMT -5
Depending on weather conditions, we will be doing duck boxes on Thursday. 9am At the club.
Jwl, Bones and myself so far.
Dan
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Post by Dan on Jan 31, 2008 22:25:13 GMT -5
Well I finally got down to the club and Elmer had some copies of the plans for me. This is a luxury model. We don't use the tree collar or the top hinge. I'd actually recommend against it. Just place 3 nails to hold the bottom in. 2 at the back to act as a hinge and one at the front that can be easily removed for cleaning. Please try and remember a dust mask for the cleaning part! These boxes have to be cleaned every year if the ducks are to use them. Cleaning from the top would be near impossible. Seeing as we don't use the top hinge we are able to hang the wire just under the top lip which makes hanging them a much easier task. The most important part is the hole. My understanding is that the size of the hole is important to the wood ducks. It must be oblong. We also use rough unfinished wood. I'm not sure if this is beneficial, cheaper or just looks more natural but everyone seems to use it. We also use "pine shavings for bedding. If you use cedar the ducks will not move in. Good luck with your box Chris. Remember to hang it about 16 feet above the creek and the closer to the water the better if not overhanging. Woodland or wetland areas are best. Make sure the ice is safe and your ladder is secure. A sled will help you drag the box, bedding, wire, ladder and nails it will take to hang them and a good paint scraper to clean the old ones. If your catering to owls go high and preferably on a hardwood near a clearing and as I've learned recently..... facing away from the prevailing winds.
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Post by chrisk on Feb 1, 2008 7:02:06 GMT -5
Thanks tons Dan!! I spotted a mating pair of Woody's along 12 mile creek, just off Glendale Ave in St. Catharines. There is a 400-500 yard stretch of pond, in a wetland clearing, off the main trail, by 50 yards or so. I'll post some pics when it's done and up. I have a friend (Arboriculturist/tree climber), who I'll need for the Owl boxes in order to get them up to that height, and not have to hike out of the Glen with a 20 foot ladder LOL. With respect to the size of the pond I mentioned, would I be able to put up two boxes? Or would that be overkill for the size of the area. Will more than one pair of Wood Ducks even like staying in the same area as another pair? Obviously, I have some research to do as well. Looking forward to the project. Chris
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