Remodeled Communities: Volunteers restore nests for waterfowl

FARMINGTON BAY — When ducks and geese begin arriving, which won't be too long from now, they will find their communities here have been remodeled ... new homes, new furnishings, new beginning.

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.

There are two types of nests on the marsh for ducks. One resembles a large, round plastic scoop perched on long pipes. Obviously, predators can't climb the pipes, which keeps ducks, their eggs and eventually their young, safe. The second type is a long, circular nest of wire and straw set on a tall pole. Both are being supplied by volunteer workers, such as Scout troops that are building the nests as a work project.

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.

What is encouraging is that rearing success of those ducks using the man-made nests is upward of 80 percent, versus anywhere from zero to 20 percent for ducks nesting elsewhere.