This past week we put up two wood duck boxes along Piney Creek and filmed a couple of time lapses while we did it.
I enjoyed adding simple line art to the fronts of the boxes. One has several Kokopelli figures burned into the front, and the other has a peace sign. Decorating them has become part of the process for me, and it is something I look forward to while I am building.
We placed both boxes close to the water. Wood ducklings leave the box shortly after they hatch and make their way to the creek to meet their mother, so keeping that distance short matters.
Before mounting the boxes, we took some time deciding where they should actually go. In one case, I walked up to a tree that seemed like the obvious choice at first, but once I stood there with the ladder and looked at it more closely, it just wasn’t the right fit. We adjusted and chose a different tree that made more sense for the placement.
To mount the boxes, we secured a 2x10 to the tree using lag bolts and screws, then fastened the box to that board to keep everything solid. You’ll see ladders, repositioning, and a bit of back-and-forth as we figured out the best way to do it, especially on the island where Piney Creek splits and runs around a piece of land.
We also cleared out some low limbs around the trees where the boxes went up. Just enough to open up the approach and make the flight path easier.
Inside each box, we added large wood shavings for bedding. Wood ducks do not bring nesting material with them, so this becomes the base layer of the nest.
While we were out there, we also found debris that had washed in during a previous high water. We wrapped a chain around it, lifted it out, and moved it back toward the shop.
We are doing this in early January so the boxes are in place well ahead of nesting season, with time for the ducks to notice them and get used to them being there.
Here is the Kokopelli install:
Keith Rowe is a breathworker, teacher, and founder of Vital Healing, a nonprofit that helps people reconnect with the wisdom of their heart through through breathwork, inner exploration, and walking meditation.
He is co-creator of the upcoming Walking Pilgrim app, a 33-day journey of mindful walking and presence. Sign up to receive updates for when it is released at walkingpilgrim.com.