Forrest and Pat are committed to provide 10 Wood Duck Nesting Boxes in tributaries of the Waccamaw River. Want to join us?

Wood Ducks are one of the most beautiful of American waterfowl. They occur year-round in South Carolina and are the only migratory duck species that breeds abundantly in all geographic regions of the state. In South Carolina, the mating season for this species typically begins in March with the search for a nesting site. The Wood Duck's habit of nesting in cavities enables it to breed in areas lacking suitable ground cover. The young leave the nest soon after hatching, jumping from the nesting cavity to the ground or water. Once out of the nest, they travel through wooded ponds with their mother.

Exactly what is going on in our area?

At one time, there were Wood Duck Nesting Boxes installed in some of the creeks feeding the Waccamaw. At least four years ago, we noticed that the ones we saw had deteriorated to the point that they were not useful and, in fact, were eyesores. Here are some examples.

Deteriorated nesting boxes on Cow House Creek.

While patrolling for the Waccamaw Riverkeeper program we decided to start with Cow House Creek. This is a few miles north of Heritage; it starts across from Wacca Wache Marina, curves south and returns to the Waccamaw downriver. This is a popular anchorage for sailboats going south.

Location of Cow House Creek and a view of its North Entrance.

What is the plan?

We contacted Craig Sasser, Refuge Manager - Waccamaw National Wildlife Sanctuary. He provided us with detailed plans to construct the recommended nesting box for Wood Ducks and instructions on how to place them so they will be used. These seemed to be very important. For example, we learned that Wood Ducks will not nest if there is another Wood Duck nest in sight. The original boxes were not installed with this in mind; most have a view of one or two other boxes. Not only did they fall apart, most were probably not ever used. With a professional's help, we hope to remedy both those problems.

Here is the first box we constructed. It is about 2 feet high by 1 foot wide and is made from one rough cut cedar board (cost ~$20).
Cypress is also acceptable but hard to purchase in this area.

Ducklings climb the wire mesh to get outside.

What can you do?

Literally, anything you want to. While we think this is a worthwhile project, we are doing it just for fun. We would love to have you join us for the fun of it. You can help construct the boxes, you can help install them, you can just wish us luck. Any or all of the above are welcome. Send an e-mail to Forrest (the webmaster of Heritage Happenings) or call us. We are in the Heritage directory; the only Forrest Mei... in the book.

If you want to strike out on your own, please get information about how to make and install the nesting boxes so your hard work doesn't go to waste.

As always, if you are interested in preserving our beautiful environment, in any way, check out the Waccamaw Riverkeeper web site (or ask us).

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