Mallard hen nest houses, Andy Martin, Mgr.

Mallard hen nest houses are being installed at various locations on and near Island Lake. The houses were partially funded by a North Itasca Electric Cooperative Operation Roundup grant and were fabricated by Eric Nord’s Northome School shop classes. We would like interested members to help monitor nesting success. For more information please contact Andy Martin (612-201-8363) or Bernie Elhard (218-556-8334).

Duck Nest Box Inspections
Gary Froeming, Bernie Elhard and I have been inspecting and maintaining the very many wood duck boxes along the lake’s shoreline for the past two years.  In late March or early April, the ice is usually favorable for ATV travel.   The ATV’s work well because we need to haul an 8-foot ladder and other supplies and tools to perform the work.  Last year we visited about half of the nest box sites, primarily on the east and north shorelines and the south side of Elmwood Island.  This year we inspected the north side of Elmwood Island and hit the south and west shorelines.
Typically about a quarter or a third of the boxes show some sign of use with feathers or broken egg shells evident.  A few are used by other species such as squirrels or mice.  A few also are found with one or as many as six whole unbroken eggs.  We replenish nesting material with sawdust where needed and make a few repairs if possible.
It’s an enjoyable outing on a sunny, calm early spring day.  If anyone is interested in participating next year, please contact me.
Andy Martin, VP, ILAA

Mallard Hen Nest House Inspections
You may recall that last winter ILAA, with help of a North Itasca Electric Co-op Round –up grant and Northome school shop classes, fabricated and installed twelve cylindrical mallard hen nest houses.  This winter my wife Norma and I inspected and replenished nesting materials at the eleven surviving houses.  With the exception of one tilted support post, all of the houses were still upright and in good shape.  Unfortunately, none of the nest houses appeared to be used with no feathers or egg shells observed.  Most of the houses did need more bedding material as wind, rain and other factors reduced the nesting bedding to less that the two-thirds full level recommended.  We will continue to monitor these sites and hope for better luck this spring.