The Maryland Wood Duck Initiative is an all-volunteer wildlife conservation effort started in late 2004. Our objectives are to enhance Maryland’s wood duck population and to generate a greater appreciation of the wetland habitats in which they live by advocating and demonstrating the merits of a “best practices” approach in managed nest programs.
Leveraging these focused efforts on the wood duck, we seek to provide a Total Wetlands Experience for our volunteers and the “next generation” through the development of complementary educational programs, internships and research projects.
The 2024 lumber / predator guard order window is now in progress until January 6, 2025.
Please see the attached flyer. Orders must be prepaid and will be delivered in February, 2025. MWDI does maintain any inventory to sell following this order window so please place your wood duck or bluebird orders now! Predator guards can be supplied year round. (See the detailed link). The price is $22 plus tax 6% ($23.32 in total).
Aaron Ward is handling all aspects of our box and guard supply program. Email Aaron at
aaronward3838@gmail.com or call him at 410-251-3838 (cell) to indicate your interest in the number of boxes/kits you would like and pickup/ delivery logistics. This indication is non-binding but payment must be prepaid to confirm your order. Mail checks to Aaron for both predator guards and boxes at 28867 Adkins Rd, Delmar, MD 21875.
This program has been very successful over the years in providing high quality nesting boxes and predator guards at prices that are substantially below those which are mostly of inferior quality. MWDI does not financially benefit from the box or guard orders. We simply seek to facilitate their expanded use as part of our mission.
December 2024 Director’s Message
MWDI’s lumber order is underway. Aaron Ward is handling all aspects for MWDI (aaronward3838@gmail.com, cell 410-251-3838). I will continue to assist in coordinating deliveries for boxes and guards. Predator guards are in ample supply and prices are unchanged from last year. Contact Aaron or Phoenix Metals as indicated elsewhere on the website.
The 2024 woodie hatch in Maryland from MWDI’s public sites was estimated to have declined moderately from the recent yearly average of approximately 6,700 ducklings from 100+ projects involving ~1,500 boxes. Reporting was incomplete this past year but based on known results, a hatch of approximately 6,200-6,400 was estimated. MWDI continues to exclude several small sites where supervision has waned. However, the data obtained, observations post hatch Across Maryland and the expected impact of a prolonged drought have combined to indicate the fall flight was much reduced except in proximity to riverine habitats where conditions were stable.
Private nesting programs continued to expand favorably by ~75-100 new nest boxes in 2024 consistent with the past few years. The contribution of artificial nesting programs to Maryland’s overall wood duck population continues to grow favorably and aggregate production from private sponsors is estimated to be well above that hatched on public lands although reporting is limited. MWDI’s primary focus the past few years has been increasingly to support new private programs by site inspection, program advice and access to relatively low cost materials.
MD DNR is continuing its banding statewide and the duckling web tagging program at Millington WMA . Please report all bans especially web tagged ducks!
MWDI is pleased to report the renovation of the Chicamicomico River site in Dorchester Co. was completed involving ~70 new boxes and many predator guardsSeveral locations were “lifted” so they are no longer snake prone by adding wood lengths prior to installing new boxes and guards. JJ Fegan and Bryon Bodt were key MWDI volunteers but Lecompte WMA staff led by Greg Schenck were critical to the timely work effort. Elsewhere, approximately 20 replacement boxes were installed on various sites.
The Amaya brothers once again assembled 20 boxes to earn more Montgomery Co. community service hours in their grade school. They have now assembled 70 boxes and with their father are also participating in field inspections at McKeee Beshers WMA and Kinder Farms park.
MWDI has need for site management volunteers in several projects. The challenge is finding the right logistical niche considering use of hip boots, boats and/or travel distances. MWDI has supplies for new public projects if you wish to initiate one. We review site habitat, assist box location and train volunteers but you must have a project manager identified to monitor the project after installation. MWDI is also ready to assist all private projects. The most pragmatic way is to send initially a google map depicting the proposed site so that proximate brood habitat can be assessed and spacing / access considerations can be discerned to support detailed evaluation / discussion as a prelude to a potential site visit. As always, a huge “thank you” to our dedicated volunteers and to MD DNR for helping to make a difference.
Cliff Brown
703-447-5142
Cliftonabrown@aol.com
