BASC is calling on individuals who have either installed or maintain duck nesting tubes to assist with the Waterfowlers’ Network citizen science project to help understand their productivity.
Through filling in a short form, the data will help determine the effectiveness of nesting tubes over the species’ flyway.
BASC has been promoting the use of nest tubes for several years. The Waterfowlers’ Network citizen science project, which BASC is an active member, is the next stage of the project.
Kiri Thompson, BASC’s assistant biodiversity officer, said: “We have received a great response from the first stage of the project, now we are asking anyone who has nest tubes on their land to pay them a visit and to fill out the online recording form.
“Mallard are a quarry species and so the shooting community should be doing all they can to ensure the population is healthy and the taking of this species is done sustainably, especially as mallard are an amber listed species. This data is crucial for monitoring their breeding success when using these artificial nests.
“We know that nesting tubes are successful and can aid breeding, but by increasing our understanding there is a chance that we can further boost productivity to the species’ benefit.”
Notes to Editors:
The duck nest data form can be found through BASC’s website – https://basc.biz/mallard-duck-nest-tubes/
