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Question
I have 2 wild ducks on my small pond should I encourage them to nest by providing them with a suitable conatiner to build their nest in and should I be worried about foxes of which there are a few in my garden. How do I detere the foxes?
many thanks Jim
It depends on the type of duck. Wood Ducks will nest in a special box put up in a tree. Most other ducks are pretty independent and nest on the ground, although some geese will nest in a wood box on a post in the water. The best way to encourage ducks to nest where foxes and other predators will not get them is to construct an island or a moored raft covered with lillypads and other water growth.
However the loss of ducks and other birds to foxes or other predators is not all bad, as it is part of nature's plan. Most of the predator's victims are the slower and dumber, which helps to keep the species strong.
We harvest more than 100,000 Whitetail Deer every year here in Oklahoma where man has replaced the Wolf and Mountain Lion, but the herd is biggger and healthier than ever. Most of the bigger and smarter ones avoid the hunters or feed at night. Bluebird Bob.
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Answers by Expert:
Bluebird Bob Walshaw
Expertise
I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.
Experience
I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.
Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance
Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World
Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.
Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.
Past/Present Clients
Many
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