<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; color: #000099'><br><div><div><div><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><div><div><div><div><div><span></span><font style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> </font><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT525"></span></font><font style="font-style: italic;" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT526"></span></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span name="x"></span><b>From: </b>"Linda Deegan" <ldeegan@mbl.edu><b></b><br><br></div><style>p { margin: 0; }</style><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000"><p>
<strong><em><span style="font-size: small">HOUSING APPEAL FOR WOOD DUCKS IN MASSACHUSETTS</span></em></strong></p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small;">There is a wildlife housing need in
Massachusetts that conservationists of all kinds can support! The
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is welcoming donations of constructed
wood duck boxes or lumber for building boxes. Wood ducks are one of the
few kinds of waterfowl (ducks and geese) that nest in cavities or holes
in trees. There are not enough natural cavities available in the state
for nesting, but constructed boxes have filled the gap. While wood ducks
are wintering in warm, southern climes, Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife (DFW) biologists and technicians will soon be braving chilly
winter temperatures on icy ponds, marshes, and other wetlands evaluating
the condition of wood duck boxes and replacing boxes that are missing
or in disrepair. “Wood duck hens will return to the same box to nest
year after year,” said H Heusmann, DFW Waterfowl Project Leader.
“Imagine the plight of a wood duck hen coming back from wintering down
south and finding her nesting site gone.” <br></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small"><br></span></p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small">Heusmann noted that in 2009 when an
appeal for wood duck boxes went out, the public response was gratifying.
Within a month, of the call for wood duck nest boxes sportsmen, Boy
Scouts, school groups, and other individual conservationists built and
donated over 200 boxes, or the lumber to make wood duck boxes. This
filled the immediate need for 2009 and was a very helpful boost for the
2010 season. Wood duck box plans are posted on the Division’s website
at: </span><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT173"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/facts/birds/waterfowl/wood_duck_box.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #0000ff">www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/facts/birds/waterfowl/wood_duck_box.htm</span></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
Heusmann points out that these specific plans should be used as the
design makes it simple to swap out parts and to place the boxes. Duck
boxes need to be constructed with rough-cut pine, making the box easy to
transport, and allowing newly-hatched ducklings a more secure foothold
as they scramble up and out of the box for their first swim. <font size="5"><font size="4">Completed
wood duck boxes can be dropped off</font> </font>at any of the five district offices
located in Pittsfield, Belchertown, West Boylston, Acton, and <font size="4">Bourne<strong>, </strong></font>or
the DFW Field Headquarters in Westborough during business days and
hours. Depending on the weather, the window of opportunity for safe,
strong ice to put up new boxes closes by late February, therefore, box
delivery by early February would be ideal for this year’s need. Unused
boxes will be kept in storage and used in the following season. <br></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small"><br></span></p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small">For those interested conservationists
don’t have the time or ability to build a box but want to support this
project, the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation, Inc., a
non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is also partnering with the Division
of Fisheries and Wildlife in this appeal by accepting donations of money
and materials that will go directly toward wood duck nest box
construction. Mail a check to </span><span style="color: black">P. O. Box 47, Westborough, MA, 01581</span>or pay through the Foundation’s website at <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT174"><a href="http://www.massoutdoorheritage.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small">www.massoutdoorheritage.org</span></a></span><span style="font-size: small">. Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible.</span></p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small">For more information about this project, see the Great Outdoors Blog on wood duck placement written last winter at: </span><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT175"><a href="http://environment.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2011/01/field-report-duck-boxes-on-ice-needs-photo.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small">http://environment.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2011/01/field-report-duck-boxes-on-ice-needs-photo.html</span></a></span><span style="font-size: small">or contact H Heusmann at <span class="" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT176"><a href="callto:+1%28508%29%20389-6321" target="_blank">(508) 389-6321</a></span>. </span></p><br><br><div><span></span><div><div><div><div><div><div>Regards,<br>Linda<br><br><hr style="width: 100%; height: 2px;"><font size="2"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Senior Scientist, The Ecosystems
Center</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></font><font style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;" size="2">Director,
CAMEO Science Program Office</font><font size="2"><br style="font-style: italic;"><em>Professor, Brown/MBL Joint Program</em><br style="font-family: lucida console,sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Marine Biological Laboratory</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;">7 MBL St.</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Woods Hole, MA </span><em>02543</em><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;">p: 508. 289. 7487</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;">f: 508. 457. 1548</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;">e: Ldeegan@mbl.edu</span><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br></span></font><br></div></div></div></div></div></div><span></span><br></div></div></div></body></html>