From Deseret News archives:
Remodeled Communities: Volunteers restore nests for waterfowl
Roughly 100 volunteers recently showed up at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area some hunters, some Scouts, some just wanting to help waterfowl to help restore duck and goose nests. This is the third year of this particular work project. And, according to Richard Hansen, manager of Farmington Bay refuge for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, this could be the year of discovery.
There are roughly 350 duck nests and 45 goose platforms on the refuge. Hansen would like to see upward of 500 duck nests and likely fewer goose platforms in the future.
Carl Taylor, executive director of the Utah Waterfowl Association, would like to see more duck nests on Farmington Bay, "and many more wherever suitable habitat is available for spring nesting."
The Utah Waterfowl Association approached the DWR three years ago to undertake the nesting project in order to protect waterfowl from serious predator threats from raccoons, skunks and foxes.
Straw is used rather than hay because hay will mold and affect the membrane and shell of the eggs.
Hansen said about 20 percent of the available duck nests were occupied last year, "which is pretty good. This is a long-term learning process for ducks. When one nest is successfully nested, hens that come out of those nests will come back when they nest themselves and remember the nests. After two years, now, it's very possible this could really take off this spring."
Many people have the perception that ducks aren't perchers but are ground nesters.
Hansen said he has watched as ducks swim up to the nest, then fly up and back down a couple of times. By the second or third try, they are usually in the nest and ready to settle in. Once inside, they will scratch around, move the straw to their liking and nest.
He said once birds start moving onto the nests, he will continuously monitor the sites to check on the residents and occupancy.
Comments
- Part truths stoke health care debate 7:34 p.m.
- USU names field after Merlin Olsen 7:25 p.m.
- Tide rolls over Gators 7:19 p.m.
- Everyone wins in rival food drive 7:00 p.m.
- BYU basketball: Cougars crush Dons 6:32 p.m.
- Cougars cruise past San Francisco 6:13 p.m.
- Utahns in giving mood 5:35 p.m.
- Kirilenko will not play tonight 5:33 p.m.
- Holiday window-shopping 5:10 p.m.
- Kingsbury books 'Wedding Singer' 5:09 p.m.
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
302 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
245 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
188 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
180 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
128 - Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
118 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
101
Is Angels Landing perhaps Utah's single most dangerous hiking trail? The...
i agree, they should have done 4 on first and 4 on second due to the fact...
I'm tired to these hypocritical people judging others. Who cares what...
The "counter punch" is usually the more damaging hit. USU showed how the...
Who's Shouting? The only maniacal looney I have ever heard scream and shout...
Isn't Mr. Smart angry that Dr. Skeem and the defense were trying to cook...
Ever watch MSNBC, Olberman's "worst person in the world" and ED he is much...
Roll Tide Baby! 32-13 and over 500 total yards offense..Thanks to all you...
Beck "doesn't rail against Republicans"?!? What planet are you living on??...
Mr. Beck has never said he speaks for the LDS community and BYU shouldn't...
Love Kurt's music, especially Prayer of the Children! I enjoyed seeing him...



You can be the first to comment on this story.