Environmental Impact Research Program Wood Duck Nest Boxes Section 512 Us Army Corps Of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual

A management techniques report on wood duck nest boxes is provided as Section 5.1.2 of the US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. The report was prepared as a guide to assist Corps biologists and resource managers in developing and implementing nest box programs for wood ducks (Aix sponsa) on project lands. Topics covered include assessment of broad habitat, nest box design and construction, placement and installation, personnel and costs, and conditions and limitations. One of the most popular and effective management techniques for wood ducks is the provision of artificial nesting structures. Where natural cavities are limited, increases in local wood duck populations may be expected when nest boxes are properly constructed, located, and protected from predators. Detailed descriptions are provided in this report for two basic nest box types, the wooden box and vertical metal box; other acceptable designs are mentioned with their respective advantages listed. A variety of predator guards and supports are described and illustrated. Recommendations are given for the proper placement, installation, and maintenance of wood duck nesting structures.

A management techniques report on waterfowl nest baskets is provided as Section 5.1.3 of the US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. The report was prepared as a guide to assist Corps biologists and resource managers in developing and implementing waterfowl management programs on Corps lands. Topics covered for nest baskets include waterfowl use, design and construction, installation, placement, maintenance, costs, and cautions and limitations. specially designed wire fabric nest structures provide the means for potentially increasing breeding populations of waterfowl, especially the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). The design, construction, installation, placement, and maintenance of four types of nesting structures are described. For purposes of this report, they are referred to as (1) open basket, (2) rectangular basket, (3) horizontal cone, and (4) horizontal cylinder. Detailed specifications and lists of materials required for construction are provided for each design. Recommendations are given for the proper placement and protection of nest structures in suitable habitat to ensure maximum use and productivity. (author).

This report on songbird nest boxes is provided as Section 5.1 .8 of the US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. It was prepared as a guide to assist project biologists in developing and implementing nest box programs for nongame birds. Topics covered include wildlife value, management objectives, design, construction, installation, placement, maintenance, evaluation, personnel and costs, and cautions and limitations. Loss of natural tree cavities has limited the availability of suitable nest sites for many wildlife species in North America. Nest box programs have been effective in restoring and maintaining populations of cavity-nesting songbirds, the most notable example being the eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis). A variety of nest box designs are presented in this report, but the bluebird box is emphasized because its dimensions can be readily adapted to other cavity nesters. Detailed specifications are given for this standard box and for specialized boxes such as purple martin (Progne subis) houses. Appropriate management objectives are discussed, and guidelines are provided for the construction, installation, and location of nest boxes with emphasis on placement in suitable habitat. Monitoring and maintenance procedures are described, and the criteria for evaluating box use and nest success are discussed. (fr).

This report on avian plot methods is provided as Section 6.3.3 of the US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. The report is designed to assist the District or project biologist in the application of plot methods to estimate the density and diversity of bird populations for planning, management, and research purposes. Plot sampling in performed by a stationary observer who stands at each sampling point and records detections of birds in all directions during a fixed sampling period. The method is particularly suited to small or irregular study areas or where terrain is too rough for the use of transects. Plot methods can be used at any time of year. The report provides guidelines concerning plot establishment, sample size, survey timing and procedures, and interpretation of results, including and explanation and comparison of fixed plots and variable circular plots. Keywords: Avian survey and sampling, Bird populations, Plot methods, Population estimation, Variable circular plots, Wildlife management.

A management techniques report on osprey nest platforms is provided as Section 5.1.6 of the US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. The report was prepared as a guide to assist Corps biologists and resource managers in developing nesting habitat for ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) on project lands. Topcis covered for nest structures include nest site selection, management objectives, design, construction, installation, location, maintenance, personnel and costs, cautions and limitations, platforms success, and evaluation. Breeding populations of ospreys are widespread in coastal areas and some inland regions of the United States, and nesting activities at reservoirs have increased substantially in recent years. Because a lack of suitable nest sites may inhibit colonization of otherwise suitable habitat or limit population growth, properly constructed and located platforms can be a highly effective tool for osprey management. The development of artificial nest structures for ospreys is presented in this report; guidelines for construction, installation, and placement are emphasized. Detailed design specifications are provided for frame platforms, solid base platforms, ring platforms, tripod structures, and platform supports. Management goals and procedures for evaluating the success of osprey platforms are discussed.

A report on mechanical site preparation techniques is provided as Section 5.7.1 of the US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. The report was prepared as a guide to assist Corps biologists and resource managers in the use of site preparation techniques and associated equipment on project lands. Habitat development and other revegetation projects often require mechanical site and seedbed preparation prior to and during planting operations. This report provides general information on mechanical techniques and major types of equipment used for these operations. Topics covered are dozers and attachments, chains and cables, choppers and shredders, mowers, plows and disks, sifters and harrows, subsoilers and rippers, furrowing and pitting, and regional considerations. A summary of basic equipment uses and limitations is provided in an appendix. The reader is referred to Chapter 8, EQUIPMENT, of this manual for more detailed information on individual pieces of equipment. (Author).