Background

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, extensive

logging and timber harvesting practices ruined

much of the available mature forests used by

cavity nesting species in the U. S. (Roy, et al.,

2007). Mature hardwood forest is needed for

natural cavity production. Cavities are produced

by weather related injuries such as, limb

breakage, excavation from woodpeckers, fire, or

insect damage (Roy, et al., 2007). These natural

cavities provide necessary sites for squirrels, bats,

owls, and cavity nesting ducks (Roy, et al., 2007).

Overharvesting of timber resulted in significant

loss of these natural cavities. Due to natural

cavity loss, wood duck (Aix sponsa) numbers

plummeted in the U. S. (Soulliere, 1986). To aid

in the regrowth of wood duck populations,

artificial wood duck houses were erected.

Efficacy of Artificial Nest Boxes Near Bemidji, MN

Michael Schleif, Mitchell Vollhaber, Kyle Kuechle

Dr. Brian J. Hiller, Biology Deptartment

Discussion

Due to the low use rate found in our 50 box

sample, the cost per hatchling could be higher

than other areas that use similar nest box

programs.

• To check the 50 nest boxes one time each year

would cost $410.41.

– That comes out to $3.91 per hatchling.

• If this was extrapolated out to the 500 boxes

roughly in place, it would cost $4,104.10.

– These findings are based on a $0.56 per mile

reimbursement based on federal standard mile rates

and a $15.00 hourly pay rate which is typical of a

wildlife technician in Minnesota who would be

preforming these duties.

• These findings do not include lumber costs

for new boxes and replacement parts.

Therefore, an assessment of natural cavity

abundance of a particular area should be

performed to determine if artificial nest boxes

are needed before a nest box program is

started.

References

Minnesota Forest Resources Council. (2003) Forest Resource Management Plan:

North Central Landscape. North Central Regional Landscape Committee.

Soulliere, G. J. (1988) Density of Suitable Wood Duck Nest Cavities in a Northern

Hardwood Forest. Journal of Wildlife Management. 52 (1), 86-89.

Soulliere, G. J. (1986) Cost and Significance of a Wood Duck Nest-House Program

in Wisconsin: An Evaluation. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 14 (3), 391-395.

Roy, C. L., Gates, R. J., and Zwicker, E. H. (2007) Project Availability of Natural

Cavities for Wood Ducks in Southern Illinois. Journal of Wildlife Management. 71

(3), 875-883.

Gorham, Rochelle. Northern Region Area Wildlife Supervisor, MN DNR.

Methods

The primary study area for this project is the

Bemidji area in South West Beltrami County,

Minnesota. During the Spring of 2014, 50 nest

boxes were sampled to determine species use

rates and cost effectiveness of maintenance. If the

box was in disrepair or missing it was refurbished

or replaced. Additionally, miles driven as well as

time spent hiking to and from nest box sites were

recorded In the Fall of 2014, the same 50 boxes

were revisited. The box was cleaned and

prepared for the following nesting season. Miles

and time were recorded again to determine

differences in access due to seasonality. Miles

and labor hours along with hatch rates were used

to assess effort and cost involved in maintaining

an artificial nest box program and the potential

contribution of the program to the local Wood

Duck population.

Results

• Out of the 17 successful boxes, 10 of the boxes were used by Common Goldeneye.

– Those 10 boxes yielded a total of 77 membranes.

– 5 more of the successful boxes were used by Hooded Merganser with a total of 24 membranes counted.

– The last 2 of the successful boxes were used by Wood Ducks, which totaled 4 membranes.

• A total of 3 boxes were classified as abandoned. Two of the three boxes were abandoned

Hooded Merganser nests.

• Comparing the total effort put in checking all nest boxes over the course of the year, the Fall of

2014 required less effort than the Spring checks. However, the distance traveled was less in the

Spring of 2014.

Boxes

Checked

Miles

Traveled

Time

(hours)

Spring 2014 50 198.0 31.08

Fall 2014 50 212.7 19.42

Common

Goldeneye

Hooded

Merganser

Wood

Duck Total Percent

Successful/

Membranes 10/77 5/24 2/4 17 34%

Abandoned 0 3*/6 1*/12 3 6%

Depredated 2 0 0 2 4%

Table 1 shows the totals effort involved for checking nest boxes for each

checking period.

Table 2 shows the breakdown of each nest box category and how many membranes were

in each box. Boxes classified as “No use” are not included in Table 2. The * denotes the

remaining abandoned box which had a mixture of both Hooded Merganser and Wood

Duck eggs.

Figure 2 shows a box with

Hooded Merganser eggs.

Figure 3 shows a nest box

after cleaning.

Figure 4 displays a

Common Goldeneye

incubating her nest.

Figure 1 displays the nest box sample area.