How to Mount a Wood Duck Box

Wood ducks are a priceless portion of the ecosystem, which explains why so many park systems go through the trouble of building convenient nesting sites in the form of wood duck boxes. Unfortunately, these ducks are often easy prey to predators. To that end, mounting a wood duck box should be taken with care and foresight to diminish the chances of predation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Site the duck box in a suitable location. The best positions are 30'-150' feet away from the shoreline among timber strands, or alternatively, over the water. Duck boxes should never be attached to trees - or even near trees where squirrels might easily raid the box. There should be no obstructions between the box and water, so that the mother and infants can walk back and forth unimpeded.

2. Dig a small hole, about two feet deep. In wetter areas, you can dig a deeper hole, provided you lengthen the pole accordingly.

3. Place a pole into the prepared hole. Its length should be adequate enough so that the bottom of your wood duck is about six feet from the ground. Steel poles might be more appropriate for wetland regions.

4. Attach the wood duck box to the top of your pole. The duck box entrance should be facing the water, with its back facing in towards shore.

5. Underneath the box, attach a predator guard so that its lip is no less than three feet from the ground. These are most often conical sheets of sheet metal, that help prevent predators like snakes from crawling up the pole and devouring the eggs.