Effects of Predator Guards on Wood Duck Box Usage

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Since 1950, Rhode Island has had an active wood duck (Aix sponsa) nesting-box program. At first, little predation by raccoons (Procyon lotor) was experienced, but by 1953 it was realized that some type of predator guard for the boxes would be needed if the program was to continue. The type of guard selected was the wooden-tunnel type described by McLaughlin and Grice (1952). During the first year, guards measuring 3 by 4 inches and 4 by 4 inches were used; but by 1954, only the 4by 4-inch guards were in use. At the conclusion of the 1954 nesting season, there was some feeling that the predator guards were greatly affecting usage of the wood duck boxes. In an effort to determine what effects the predator guards did have on the usage of wood duck boxes, a number of experimental areas were established in northern Rhode Island during 1955 and 1956 with boxes that had 4by 4-inch guards. Areas were selected that had good records for past usage of nesting boxes. Approximately 25 per cent of the areas had predator guards on all of the boxes, 25 per cent of the areas had boxes without guards, and 50 per cent of the areas had an equal number of boxes with and without guards. During 1955 all of the boxes were checked three times between the middle of May and the latter part of June. In 1956 all of the boxes were checked during the middle of June, while some were also checked on the first of May and at the end of June. Prior to the nesting season, all boxes were checked for usability, cleaned of all debris, and given sawdust where needed.