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Wood Duck

Year-round nest boxes at Deer Pond Farm help support Wood Ducks.

At Deer Pond Farm, we have three Wood Duck nest boxes in different spots—on posts in ponds and along wetland edges. The boxes are cleaned in winter and filled with dry wood shavings for nesting. Female Wood Ducks add their own feathers. These shy birds hide when people are nearby, so the boxes give them safe places to raise their young.

Wood Duck Habitat Support

 

  • 3 boxes on posts in ponds on CT side of property, 2 on posts & 1 on tree in NY
  • Boxes stay up year-round and are cleaned in winter when ponds are frozen
  • Nesting material consists of dry wood shavings 1/3 full placed by staff; female ducks line nest with own feathers
  • Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers have been observed at many ponds and wetlands throughout
    the sanctuary
  • Wood Duck breeding was confirmed by observing a fledgling duck in June 2020

Wood Duck Timeline at Deer Pond Farm

2025

13 Wood Duck eggs observed in box 1. Undetermined number of eggs in box 2, but eggshells and downy feathers observed.

2024

No evidence of nesting Wood Ducks.

2023

No nesting recorded.

2022

23 Wood Ducks fledged from 3 boxes, all in CT. No signs of Wood Duck breeding in NY boxes.

2021

A single Wood Duck egg was deposited in 1 box, but no other breeding attempts were observed

2020

First successful breeding year: fledgling Wood Duck was observed.

2019

No evidence of nesting Wood Ducks.

2018

Installed 6 Wood Duck nest boxes.

Saltmarsh Sparrow