Duck nest monitoring project
The Waterfowlers’ Network have published an online form for recording data for any artificial duck nest structure installed on your land. Please click the link below to record your findings.
Duck nest project
Through a citizen science project the Waterfowlers’ Network (of which BASC is a member) are monitoring the breeding success and usage of artificial duck nest structures such as duck nest tubes and nest boxes. The Waterfowler’s Network are calling on members and the wider shooting community to make, erect and record usage of artificial duck nests, in the hope we can improve breeding success across the species’ flyway.
Mallard nests are often destroyed before the eggs have chance to hatch, through predation, trampling from livestock or disturbance from dog walkers. Artificial nests offer security and protection from the elements and, when used properly, have been shown to boost fledgling success in other countries.
How can you help?
1. Make and erect a mallard nest tube on either the land you own or shoot over
Anyone can make and erect nest tubes to help improve the population of wild mallard in their area. It may take several years before the tubes are used, but don’t be disheartened – once they are occupied, the ducks and their offspring will likely return to nest year after year.
2. Record as much of the following information as you can:
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- Habitat type
- Site location
- Number of tubes placed at site
- Species using the tube
- What types of habitat management and predator control are currently being carried out at the site
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Once you have recorded all, or as much of the above information as you can, use the Waterfowlers’ Network online form to register your findings.
Please contact BASC if you need any help or advice with this project.
Further advice on how to build a duck nest tube can be found here:
How to build a duck tube
information sheet
Flooding, habitat destruction and predators can all take their toll on mallards trying to nest in fragmented habitat. You can help by providing safe nesting sites for the ducks.
Download
Mallard
information sheet
Mallard is the most common and widespread species of duck in the UK.
They breed in all parts of the UK, wherever there is a suitable wetland habitat.
Download
Get your ducks
in a row
Releasing reared mallard can be counter-productive, says James Green. Instead,
try siting duck nest tubes which have proven to boost wild bird populations.
Read more
