OT ground nesting woodies?
 

I just came in from walking a young pup. I intended to swim him a bit in a
pond out back, but as we approached it I saw the grass moving and a bird,
head lowered, slinking off. I assumed "Mallard nest" but lo and behold it
was a hen Wood Duck.

Since the pup can't be trusted to obey me yet, I came back without
further investigation, and, I don't want to bother her again today if
she is trying to nest. But, I always thought Woodies nested in hollow trees
or DU project boxes, by definition. Anyone know if they are also known to
ground nest? If I have a true rarity here I might try for photos.

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

[snip]

.. Anyone know if they are also known to
ground nest? If I have a true rarity here I might try for photos.

They can be trained to ground nest. Just be sure the e-collar fits correctly
and doesn't get caught in the reeds and weeds.

Danl

Danl wrote:
"Larry L" wrote:
[snip]
. Anyone know if they are also known to
ground nest? If I have a true rarity here I might try for photos.

They can be trained to ground nest. Just be sure the e-collar fits correctly
and doesn't get caught in the reeds and weeds.

Forget the e-collar, Wood Ducks, like most breathing beings,
love Budweiser. They can be trained to ground nest with less
than a six-pack in the hands of a good trainer. Remember,
positive reinforcement is always a better training method
than negative reinforcement.

--
Ken Fortenberry

"Larry L" wrote in message
...
I just came in from walking a young pup. I intended to swim him a bit in
a
pond out back, but as we approached it I saw the grass moving and a bird,
head lowered, slinking off. I assumed "Mallard nest" but lo and behold
it
was a hen Wood Duck.

Since the pup can't be trusted to obey me yet, I came back without
further investigation, and, I don't want to bother her again today if
she is trying to nest. But, I always thought Woodies nested in hollow
trees
or DU project boxes, by definition. Anyone know if they are also known
to
ground nest? If I have a true rarity here I might try for photos.

Don't know for sure, but the near demise of woodies was reputed to be
closely related to their intransigence with regard to ground nesting.
Conversely, their spectacular comeback is attributed in large part to the
efforts of various conservation minded organizations and individuals in
putting out nest boxes for them.

Personally, I think it's a bit of a stretch to assume that a duck seen on
the ground is necessarily nesting there.

Wolfgang
who, in the past few weeks, has seen numerous woo.......um......well, never
mind. :(

"Wolfgang" wrote


Personally, I think it's a bit of a stretch to assume that a duck seen on
the ground is necessarily nesting there.



agreed, and I'll go back and see if I can find a nest and eggs, but don't
want to bother her too often, so I didn't go back today She likely was
just snoozing in the sun ... we're not far from the river and many natural
and manmade Woodie homes I was just curious if it was a known
possibility I did see a pair here a couple days ago but didn't think
anything about it

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote

Wood Ducks, like most breathing beings,
love Budweiser.


I bet if I filled the pond with Bud I'd have a lot of ground nesting beasts
out there ...... wonder if F&G would call that baiting? G

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

"Wolfgang" wrote


Personally, I think it's a bit of a stretch to assume that a duck seen on
the ground is necessarily nesting there.



agreed, and I'll go back and see if I can find a nest and eggs, but don't
want to bother her too often, so I didn't go back today She likely was
just snoozing in the sun ... we're not far from the river and many natural
and manmade Woodie homes I was just curious if it was a known
possibility I did see a pair here a couple days ago but didn't think
anything about it

I'd bet a million shiny new nickels on the possibility.......but I wouldn't
go back to check.

Wolfgang
who reserves the right to choose how much to reveal about his breeding
habits.

Wolfgang wrote:

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

"Wolfgang" wrote


Personally, I think it's a bit of a stretch to assume that a duck seen on
the ground is necessarily nesting there.



agreed, and I'll go back and see if I can find a nest and eggs, but don't
want to bother her too often, so I didn't go back today She likely was
just snoozing in the sun ... we're not far from the river and many natural
and manmade Woodie homes I was just curious if it was a known
possibility I did see a pair here a couple days ago but didn't think
anything about it


I'd bet a million shiny new nickels on the possibility.......but I wouldn't
go back to check.

Don't take the bet, Larry, because Wolfgang never pays off, even when
he's conclusively proven wrong.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Larry L wrote:
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote

Wood Ducks, like most breathing beings,
love Budweiser.


I bet if I filled the pond with Bud I'd have a lot of ground nesting
beasts out there ...... wonder if F&G would call that baiting? G

More likely chemical dumping. ;-)
--
TL,
Tim
---------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj/

"rw" wrote in message
ink.net...
Wolfgang wrote:

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

"Wolfgang" wrote


Personally, I think it's a bit of a stretch to assume that a duck seen
on the ground is necessarily nesting there.



agreed, and I'll go back and see if I can find a nest and eggs, but don't
want to bother her too often, so I didn't go back today She likely was
just snoozing in the sun ... we're not far from the river and many
natural and manmade Woodie homes I was just curious if it was a known
possibility I did see a pair here a couple days ago but didn't think
anything about it


I'd bet a million shiny new nickels on the possibility.......but I
wouldn't go back to check.

Don't take the bet, Larry, because Wolfgang never pays off, even when he's
conclusively proven wrong.

DANG! I almost had him! :(

Wolfgang