Messer Pond Wildlife

Messer Pond Fish &Wildlife

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)...

Male Wood Duck, breeding plumage

Female Wood Duck

Male Wood Duck,

non-breeding plumage

The following are excerpts from Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds":

Cool Facts

Natural cavities for nesting are scarce, and the Wood Duck readily uses nest boxes provided for it. If nest boxes are placed too close together, many females lay eggs in the nests of other females. These "dump" nests can have up to 40 eggs.
The Wood Duck nests in trees near water, sometimes directly over water, but other times up to 2 km (1.2 mi) away. After hatching, the ducklings jump down from the nest tree and make their way to water. The mother calls them to her, but does not help them in any way. The ducklings may jump from heights of up to 89 m (290 ft) without injury.
Wood Ducks pair up in January, and most birds arriving at the breeding grounds in the spring are already paired. The Wood Duck is the only North American duck that regularly produces two broods in one year.

Habitat

Found in forested wetlands, including along rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds, and lakes.

Food

Seeds, acorns, fruits, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.

Behavior

Foraging - Moves rapidly and pecks and dabbles on water surface. May tip-up or dive for submerged food items.

Reproduction

Nest Type - Nest in preformed cavities in trees or nest boxes. Lined with down from female's breast.

Egg Description - Glossy creamy white to tan.

Clutch Size - Usually 6-15 eggs. Range: 6-40.

Condition at Hatching - Covered in down and able to leave the nest soon after.

Conservation Status

Declined dramatically in late 19th century, but recovered in 20th. Current populations stable or increasing.

MPPA wood duck boxes have been installed on Town bog land at the east and west ends of Messer Pond. Weather made this project difficult as temperatures had been too warm or too cold to provide stable or penetrable sites on the bog material. Member Scott Brown built six (6) duck boxes last fall per guidance from NH Fish & Game Dept. and had been working on this project as time and weather allowed. The boxes, iron posts, predator guards, hardware, etc., have been arranged by Scott with some local supporters providing some materials at no cost to MPPA. Special thanks to Yah Maguire for allowing easy access to the bog. Photos by Bob Brown, 03-10-07.

Please contact Water Safety & Fish/Wildlife Director, Jackie Parcells, with any questions or concerns

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Messer Pond Protective Association

P.O. Box 103

New London, NH 03257

mppa@messerpond.org

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