My Wood Duck Nest Box 1st season 10 Ducklings 2020

We put up a Wood Duck nesting box last year and this is the first year that a pair used it to nest in. It was very exciting first discovered the Female on 4/24 and then discovered she was incubating 18 eggs. Also found out we have lots of night visitors. Putting up some chicken wire and other obstacles helped deter them. On 5/23 I noticed a pip am not sure if there were other hatchlings in the box. On 5/24 I could see at least 4 ducklings as well as a newly hatched one. Then on 5/25 Female decided it was time to go. She went to the doorway at 8:40 sat for 9 mins but it wasn't time yet back inside she went. At 9:02am back to the doorway and this time it was safe. She left the doorway at 9:05am and by 9:07am 10 ducklings made the leap. They swam away and 7 eggs were non viable with 1 dead duckling.

[@michellehamilton8455]

Adorable 🎉

[@michellehamilton8455]

Great video poor foxy

[@RG-hf4et]

This was nice to see the season at one time. I can't always watch. Great video.

[@lakemurrayosprey5993]

That was so awesome!!! How exciting!! That fox.....so brave in the daylight and also so skinny. Kudos for the creative deterring fence ideas...they worked! Jump Jump Jump....that was adorable!!!

[@tmaryso43williams10]

So awesome! Glad you did the whole season edit. Quite special!! Thank you!

[@Buffyforever]

Great job defending the nest!

[@BellaNestCam]

Chicken wire was brilliant!!

[@odduser1634]

Incredible story, I admire your patience. I hit like for that style jump by duckling. Nest is well built and thank you for that. Subscribed.

[@cintulator2]

they jump like heroes!

[@mahendersinghchahal8270]

Very nice

[@Ospreyfan190]

Love this!

[@Sobhan385]

so nice

[@ssss-tn2no]

Nice

[@CBonesey]

This was great! I just placed 4 boxes in my swamp behind my house. We have had 4 pair of wood ducks for the last 3 seasons that I have been aware return. I’ve been feeding them daily, and decided it was time to provide them some good homes to nest. How far from your house was this box and did the ducks fly anytime you got near the box? Thanks!

[@polo7422]

I don't provide food, our duck house is about 150 feet from our house. No the female didn't leave the nest box when I peeked in with my camera to take a picture. I used my phone and just stuck it in long enough to snap a picture without using the flash. I tried to do it only once or twice a day so as to not disturb her also tried to do it at dusk when I saw her leave to go eat.

[@CBonesey]

Great feedback thank you for replying!!

[@BellaNestCam]

You seen the movie - That Darn Cat? lol

[@richterd1871]

I’ve read you don’t put them near trees for this reason

[@brandeebzowski3978]

Such an awesome video 🤩. Is the daddy duck involved at all? Where do ducks go after they leave the nest since the cannot get back? And do you know where we can learn more about these kinds of ducks?

[@polo7422]

Male Ducks do not sit on the eggs. Once the eggs hatch and ducklings leave the nest they swim away and we don’t see them. I suggest goggle Wood Ducks and you will find lots of information

[@scottjkern]

I am wondering what kind of cameras in side. I would love to rest mine

[@polo7422]

I didn't have a camera installed inside. I just stuck my iPhone in took a quick picture without flash on. I only did a few times as to not bother the female.

[@DoubleDoubleWithOnions]

Why are the duck boxes built so deep? Wouldn't it be easier for the little guys leaving if they didn't have to climb so high?

[@polo7422]

We built the box according to wood duck experts suggested dimensions. There are ridges on the inside wall just under the opening that the ducklings use their web feet to grab on and climb out. Heck wood ducks nest in holes high up in trees and the ducklings have to take a much longer leap of faith. Just the wood duck way

[@Zb5113]

Well done against cats why can't people just lock them up at night or make a cat run keeping them safe and nature safe too.

[@mikedavidson1970]

When should I have my box in place?

[@polo7422]

depends on where you live

[@mikedavidson1970]

@@polo7422 southeast Ohio.

[@polo7422]

I would suggest that you google when Wood Ducks nest in Ohio to help you.

[@anatolijku7242]

я думаю утка стрессовала - постоянно кто-то приходил. кошка, енот и т.д. она покидала утятник. поэтому столь большое количество неживых яиц.

[@polo7422]

nope she was not stressed she sat on all eggs and 10 ducklings jumped not all the eggs were viable and this is not unusual for Wood Ducks. She came and went I did not include all comings and goings just did a recap of the nest she would leave to eat and once the hatching was close she stayed in the nesting box until all eggs that were going to hatch did -- I do understand where you might think she was stressed but I don't think that was the case thank you for watching my highlight

[@darrellpelfrey2370]

To low

[@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors]

Fantastic video! Just installed 4 boxes on the property, hope to catch some activity on trail camera. Check out my channel if you want to see that process