The 2020 Wood Duck Report

THE 2020 WOOD DUCK REPORT

WOOD DUCKERS RALLY, POST STRONG NUMBERS DESPITE PANDEMIC he California Wood Duck Program is the largest and for their annual Wood Duck Dinner and other events. Still, the most successful citizen science project of its kind. More cadre reported impressive numbers. They maintained more than than 400 volunteers install, maintain and monitor 4,000 nest boxes last year, in which more than 28,000 ducklings thousands of nest boxes across the state. This impres- hatched. That is quite an accomplishment given the challenges Tsive project has helped mitigate the effects of habitat loss that of 2020. SPRING 2021 almost drove wood ducks to extinction a century ago. In 2021, the program turns 30. The collective effort continues The program began when forward-thinking people at to bring it closer to an impressive milestone: 1 million ducks California Waterfowl — people like Steve Simmons and Iva hatched. The number could be attained in the next few years at Rogers — years ago decided to do what they could to increase the rate these wood duckers get things done. That really would the number of wood ducks in our state and increase the number be something to celebrate! of citizens participating in their recovery. Thank you to all the volunteers, district managers Of course, 2020 was a very difficult year to tend to nest and program sponsors who made 2020’s effort a major boxes. The state-issued stay-at-home orders made it nearly accomplishment. Hopefully, as nesting season begins soon, impossible to get to the boxes in the spring, and the wood wood duckers will be there to usher in the next generation of Aix

CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL duckers, as they are affectionately called, could not get together sponsa, the gaudy and resilient wood duck. —John Geiger

28 THE CALIFORNIA WOOD DUCK PROGRAM Brandon Fien

INSIDEINSIDE THISTHIS SECTIONSECTION

And the 2021 Frank C. Bellrose Award winner is... 30 SPRING 2021 A list of districts, volunteers, nests and ducklings hatched 32 Fathers, students and Girl Scouts: volunteer stories 35 A tribute to Steve Simmons and Iva Rogers 38 Thank you to our program sponsors 38 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL

29 THE CALIFORNIA WOOD DUCK PROGRAM Jim Paroli named 2021 Bellrose Award winner Jim Paroli is dedicated to the ducks. The 2021 Frank C. annually, thanks in large part to Paroli’s efforts. Bellrose recipient installed his first wood duck box on But his passion for waterfowl and the Delta goes beyond the McDonald Island in 1997. He was accompanied by Ken wood duck program. He is a trustee of Reclamation District Murray, the area’s California Wood Duck Program’s District 6 2030 and a Delta Protection Commissioner for the Central manager at the time. Delta. He recently designed and built an 80-acre Paroli later stepped into Murray’s shoes and riparian habitat mitigation project on McDonald managed that same district a few years later. Island. He is employed by Eddie Zuckerman and It’s been nearly 25 years of non-stop advising, Dennis Gardemeyer as the Habitat Operation managing and mentoring others on wood duck Director for Heritage Land Co., Delta Blue Grass and projects on all over the Delta area. He has been the Clavius Duck Club. leading the group as chairperson since 2014. Despite his busy schedule, Paroli takes the time “Jim is always the first to respond when I need to mentor and share his passion with people who are help with anything related to wood ducks,” said new to the program or interested in waterfowl. You Brian Huber, Wood Duck Program coordinator. can always find him at CWA events, Yolo Duck Days “He has volunteered countless hours of his time to and Wood Duck 101. help grow the wood duck program and encourage —Eric Sheffield people to get involved. Jim is very deserving of Dr. Frank C. Bellrose was one of the pioneers of wood duck this award.” nesting research. His career-long commitment to understanding Paroli has lent a hand to fellow wood duckers at Tyler Island, Brack Tract, Empire Island, Rindge Tract, Medford wood duck biology began in the late 1930s and resulted in the Island, Mandeville Island, Lower Jones Tract, Roberts Island, development of predator-resistant nest boxes. His dedication Brovelli Estates and, of course, McDonald Island. McDonald to waterfowl, especially the wood duck, is why the California Island now has 50-plus boxes and produces over 360 ducklings Wood Duck Program honors one outstanding volunteer in his name each year.

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30 THE CALIFORNIA WOOD DUCK PROGRAM

Last year was a tough year all round but the California Wood Duck Program volunteers stepped up and added another 28,832 hatched duckling to the program’s total, which is 916,2 9 6 closing in on 1 million. HATCHED SINCE 1991

50k 8 7 40k 6 30k 5 4 20k 3 2 10k 1 0 0 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

DUCKLINGS PER NEST BOX TOP YEAR - TOTAL AND PER NEST BOX DUCKLINGS HATCHED #2 YEAR - TOTAL AND PER NEST BOX

Project Name # Boxes # Ducklings Volunteers Project Name # Boxes # Ducklings Volunteers

District 1, NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA (Nevada, Sierra, Siskiyou, Angel Ranch John Garriga, Doug Garriga Jennifer 50 327 Shasta, Modoc counties). District Manager Craig Ferrari, 530-268-1661. Duck Club Garriga, Jim Carr, Rod Miller Bar-E Ranch Maddie Nightingale, Mikey Nightingale, Argo & Vickery Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello 10 81 9 52 Caleb Wells, Vince Aiello Farms Barale Ranch Dave Barale, Pete Barale, Joe Barale, Beedy 6 38 Ted Beedy 15 90 Eric Sheffield, Jim Paroli Bidwell 26 102 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Barale Ranch Dave Barale, Pete Barale, Joe Barale 5 17 Budge 6 11 W.W. Budge West Behring Ranch Isabelle Romo, Ernesto Jimenez, Gerardo Ferrari Farms 15 37 Craig Ferrari 196 1,986 Jimenez, Lazaro Romo, Janine Grupalo Golden Oaks 10 22 Craig Ferrari Bens 10 54 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Goose Valley 21 57 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Broken Wing Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello 11 128 Lake Margaret 8 44 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Duck Club

Napoli 6 18 Len Napoli, Gail Napoli Burgard 36 155 Dirk Burgard

Nevada Co. F & Craig Ferrari Butte Creek Farms 60 250 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello

SPRING 2021 17 219 W Commission Butte Creek Island CWA 17 113 Ranch Sanders Ranch 16 121 Rick A. Sanders District 2, NORTH COAST (Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Bypass Farms 20 8 Ammy Reyes Mendocino, Lake counties). District Manager Taylor Norris, 707-616-8672. Casa de Patos/ Paul & Sandi Bonderson, UC Davis 196 1,364 Harpshire 3 0 Kevin Harper Bird Haven Ranch Colusa NWR Mike Peters, Larry Garrett, District 3, SACRAMENTO VALLEY (Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, 53 615 Barbara Garrett Yolo counties). District managers Steve Mortensen, 707-592-5545; Mike Johnson, 530-521-8066; Jim Carr, 530-514-4352; Bryce Johnson, 530-624-9752; Matt Meyer, Cozzolino 14 136 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello 510-352-4844; John Garriga 530-815-4998. Crim-Sky Hi 39 250 Bill Crim, CWA 5R Ranch 5 24 Greg Silva, Patti Silva

CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL Crippled Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello 21 100 49er Duck Club 10 86 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Mallarad 32 Project Name # Boxes # Ducklings Volunteers Project Name # Boxes # Ducklings Volunteers

Fonseco 8 44 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Rancho Esquon Mike Johnson, Bryce Johnson, John 67 112 Garriga, Jim Carr, Doug Garriga, Brian Foothill Mallard The Hammett Family, Honcut King, Huber, Loretta Gardner, Claude Grillo Club 29 75 Bobby Grilli, Glen Weldon, Justin Wall, Riverside Cottage Kristin Shorrock, Merrily Stover, Faith Wall 2 22 Larry Jendro Double Down Guy Delorefice, Lani Delorefice, Capri 3 6 RJ Finney Rod & Dominic Gillibert, Rene Gillbert, Duck Club Delorefice, Bob Nichols, Holly Nichols 50 309 Gun Club Dave Ciapponi DC 13 116 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello UC Davis - Roosevelt Ranch Partners, UC Davis 100 479 Foster City Rod & Darold Givens, Ken Stenquist, Eric Roosevelt Ranch Gun Club Swanson, Don Woods, Matt Plut RSCT Inc Duck Tom Orgain, Russ Morth 3 0 •Gordon's Pond Darold Givens, Ken Stenquist, Eric Club 25 117 Swanson, Don Woods, Matt Plut, UC Davis - Russell UC Davis Bruce Billings 16 124 Ranch •Laughing Darold Givens, Ken Stenquist, Eric Mallard 47 200 Swanson, Don Woods, Matt Plut, Sanborn Slough 23 153 CWA Bruce Billings Sebia Duck Club Mark Kirsten, Rhys Kirsten, Matt Artz, Fresh Water Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Ryan Artz, Dan Artz, Anna Artz, Jim 11 91 Creek 39 218 Wruck, Andrew Costamagna, Jack Dolan, Allen Francis, Doug Farel, Jon Gardner Farms Dan Erben, Avery Erben, Kelsey Erben, Berglund, Caroline Brady, Brian Huber 15 231 Kaila Erben, William Gardner Jr. Seven Mile Duck John Garriga, Doug Garriga Jennifer 19 105 Gray Lodge Carol Allen, Lori Dieter, Donna Dugan, Club Garriga, Gary Lechner, Gillian Lechner Wildlife Area Cal Dugan, Dan Furr, Craig Gifford, Dorothy Glass, Duane Linander, Jennifer Stone Creek 9 44 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello 346 2,576 Linander, Jack Macfarlane, John Royce, Sutter Buttes Boys Vic Parachini, Walt Sikes, Eric Hohener, Kristin Shorrock, Meghann Shorrock, 31 63 Edith Shubert, Marie Smith, Hal Stoner Club Don Sande

Hollywood Duck Dave Barale, Pete Barale, Joe Barale, Thuis Ranch Steve Mortensen, Neal Van Alfen, Pam Kazmeirczak, Dave Howes, Wyatt Club 78 672 Erik Hora, Ron Hora, Eric Sheffield, 6 12 Jim Paroli Ensley, Garrett Ensley, Jack Ensley, Noah Riesche Joe Paulo Ranch Mike Johnson, Bryce Johnson, Joe Paulo, 46 209 Jim Carr, John Garriga, Doug Garriga Tin Can Louie 12 78 Jeff Huff, Chris Perry, Bill Maudru Vista Ranch Mark Borrell, Mike Schuster, Steve Larry Merlo Youth Mike Johnson, Jim Carr, Michael Felkins, 23 207 32 362 Rocque Merlo, John Garriga, Doug Mortensen, Ruth Mikkelsen, Erin Spencer Garriga, Bryce Johnson West Delevan Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello 7 37 Lone Star Duck Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Duck Club 10 93 Club Wild Goose 125 558 J.P. Stover, Luke Pfister Mallard Ranch 50 281 Dominic Gillibert Willow Creek Harlan Albers, Curtus Amaro, John 114 1,669 Mom's Farm Dennis Burkell, Kathie Burkell, Wood Ducks Amaro, Randy Hansen, Troy Hansen 16 121 Tommy Bippart District 4, NORTH BAY (Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Solano, Contra Murdock Gun Brian Huber, Caroline Brady, Jason Costa counties). District Manager Robert Franco, 707-290-3601. Club I 61 443 Coslovich, Landon Eskridge, Jamie Oskowski, CWA Arnold Ranch Mike Lenzi, Sophia Koehler, Olivia Duck Club 59 295 Koehler, Gianna Koehler, Brielle Murdock Gun Brian O'Connor, Kathleen O'Connor Cardwell, Emma Cardwell 104 967 Club II Denverton Ranch 5 0 CWA MVS Fowl Estates Matt dePolo, Giovanni dePolo, Anthony 10 83 dePolo, Vincent Andreuccetti, Luciano EBMUD Douglas Vaughan, Robert Bartholomew, 24 47 Andreuccetti Sandy Ferreira, Doris Kretschmer

Nannini Bros. Michael Nannini, Jeffrey Nannini, Green Valley Anthony Iaccarino, Theresa Iaccarino, 9 10 10 29 Brian Nannini Creek John Iaccarino

North Colusa 3 49 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Greenhead Duck Kevin Brush, Trinity Brush, Malina Brush, 24 57 Club Amber Brush Ohm Road Club 10 65 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Grizzly Ranch 12 0 Robert Franco, CWA Opa's Dead End William Owen 7 38 Duck Club Jacksnipe Albert Seeno III, Paul Silva, Eric 10 120 Sheffield, Jim Paroli Oroville Wildlife Amanda Geahry, Byron Stone, Roy Area 212 710 Moore, AJ Dill, Brian Young, Richard Laguna Creek 4 0 Steve Broadley, Benjamin Broadley Cain, Diane Flores SPRING 2021 Machado 14 139 Don Alvarado, Sam Alvarado Packer Rd Gene Beauchamp, Matt Meyer, 19 226 Dennis Corvello McDaniel Gary McDaniel, Joeni McDaniel, Gianna 12 65 Rose McDaniel, Jared McDaniel Paradise Farms 10 82 Tiffany Podesta, Anthony Lopez Nixon 2 0 Brian Nixon Pintail II 10 70 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Peaceful Glen Steve Mortensen, Bob Brown, Jeanie Pioneer Duck Johnny Drury, Matt Drury, 28 343 Brown, Dave Howes, Wyatt Ensley, Club Morgan Richardson 7 44 Garrett Ensley, Jack Ensley, Prime Time Duck Don Springer, Bruce Billings 62 454 Noah Riesche Club

R67 Ranch John Garriga, Jennifer Garriga,

18 136 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL Doug Garriga, Jim Carr

33 THE CALIFORNIA WOOD DUCK PROGRAM

Project Name # Boxes # Ducklings Volunteers Project Name # Boxes # Ducklings Volunteers

Ryer Island Fin Bill Hobin, Joe DaSilveira Brack Track Jim Paroli, Eric Sheffield, 12 131 & Feather Ranch 40 22 Pete Costamagna LLC Brush Duck Club 19 87 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Stuart Creek Tony Nelson, Eric Fessenden, Bo Kearns, 3 0 Sonoma Taj Hihenberger Eudy 12 18 John Eudy, Robbin Eudy Kautz Ironstone Joe Valente, Claudia Valente Willow Pond Steve Mortensen, Joann Tomlinson, Dave 60 173 Howes, Wyatt Ensley, Garrett Ensley, Winery 8 76 Jack Ensley, Noah Riesche, Robert Eddings Mandeville Island 320 1,829 Jim Paroli, Eric Sheffield, Tony Marnell District 5, SACRAMENTO/SIERRA (Yuba, Sutter, Sacramento, El McDonald Island 53 464 Jim Paroli, Eric Sheffield Dorado, Placer, Amador, Alpine counties). District managers Greg Medford Isalnd Rigo Sevilla, Peter Ottesen, 10 22 Damitz, 916-705-4544; Mike Merlo, 916-248-6595; Tim Anderson, 707-474-8448. Seven Partneas Beale Air Force Chadwick McCready, Trevor Moore, Jeff Base Radar, Nick Nugent, Mathew Saiz, Maia Nelson 59 329 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Lipschutz, Jacob Miller, Luca Lagares, 50 77 Mark Suek, Blake Lawver, Jane Tavares, Trion Ranch 17 130 Matt Meyer, Dennis Corvello Clay Crow, Brandon Swalla, Justin Tyler Island Eric Sheffield, Jim Paroli, Hutchinson, Mary Walker 11 132 Habitat Stu Greenberg Bear River Brett Lawson, Bo Lawson, Hunter Lawson, 25 106 Brad Thompson, Toby Woodworth, District 7, SOUTH BAY (San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Steve Mortensen Santa Cruz, Santa Clara counties). District Manager Sandy Ferreira, 925- 420-6256. Boy Scouts Troop 83 Quarry Lakes Dave Riensche, Sarah Riensche, Daniel 10 0 Riensche, Nathan Riensche, •Elk Slough Russ van Loben Sels, Rebekah Riensche 69 972 Yuuto van Loben Sels District 8, CENTRAL COAST (Monterey, San Benito, San Luis •Babel Slough Russ van Loben Sels, Obispo counties). District manager position open. Contact Jim Paroli, 209-993- 22 288 Yuuto van Loben Sels 0808, for information.

Brown's Valley 3 9 Mike Schuster, Ruth Mickelsen District 9, NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY (Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno counties). District Manager Erik Knorr, 831-809-1571. Conaway Ranch Mike Hall, Conaway Ranch partners, 71 157 UC Davis Dallas Duck Club Al Sturla, Anthony Lopez, Rene Lopez, 152 160 Jess Nelson, Chris Chung, Tiffany D & T Tackle 3 0 Dennis Byrne, Terra Byrne Podesta

Footrot Flats Steve Broadley, Benjamin Broadley, Mike Dryad Ranch 7 0 Bill Ralph 49 202 Johnson, Grace Phillips, Mike Dardzinski, Donna Dardzinski, Bryce Johnson District 10, SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY (Kings, Tulare, Kern counties). District Manager Ken Barton, 818-367-4158. Greenberg 7 39 Stu Greenberg, Deb Greenberg California Living Andrew Kenyon 9 41 Jeri Langham Jeri Langham, Cliff Hawley, Oleta Museum Melnicoe, Jim Pompy, Carla Barbaro, 17 204 Tulare Basin Andrew Kenyon, Ken Barton Peter Ross, Cavi Cavness, Sara Denzler, 18 108 Chery Cobbs Wetlands Assoc. District manager Mike Merlo Mike Merlo District 11, INYO/MONO (Inyo, Mono counties). Plesant Grove 13 0 position open. Contact Jim Paroli, 209-993-0808, for information. Creek District 12, SOUTH COAST (Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Mike Merlo Mike Merlo Orange counties). District manager position open. Contact Jim Paroli, 209-993- 33 201 Yuba City 0808, for information. District 13, MOJAVE (San Bernardino County). District manager position Moe 9 34 Rich Moe open. Contact Jim Paroli, 209-993-0808, for information. North Delta John Erickson, Tom Uslan, Davis Uslan, 264 1,739 Camp Cady 2 0 Andrew Kenyon, Bruce Kenyon Conservancy Jim Kerruish District 14, IMPERIAL VALLEY (Riverside, San Diego, Imperial Pasture Creek Josh Holme, Jackson Holme, 3 28 District manager position open. Contact Jim Paroli, 209-993-0808, for James Holem counties). information. Pompy 8 48 Jim Pompy So. Cal Wood Ducks South Lake Tahoe Dave Huber, Ginger Huber, Daniel 2 0 Huber, Brian Huber, Wyatt Huber, •Prado Regional Bonnie Johnson, Natalia Doshi, Miranda Karlie Huber Park Peters, Deborah Dornisch Jack Hall, 53 94

SPRING 2021 Ronda Hall, John McKeon, South Pleasant Greg Damitz Sr., Gregory W. Damitz Jr. 19 100 Rod Chambers Grove •Yorba Regional Mike Geraci, Rick Spitler, Don Township South Steve Broadley, Benjamin Broadley, Mike 36 285 Park Mendenhall, Rick Dawson, Jim Ehret 26 75 Johnson, Grace Phillips, Mike Dardzinski, Donna Dardzinski, Bryce Johnson

Whitney Oaks 5 14 Ed Price

William's Pond Tad Gantenbein, Erik Gantenbein, 6 77 Zack Reuter TOTAL BOXES, 4,647 District 6, DELTA (San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tuolumne TOTAL DUCKLINGS, 28,832 counties). District managers Jim Paroli; CWDP Co-Chair, 209-993-0808; Eric Sheffield, 925-699-9452. If you are a volunteer, and your name or project is not listed or is incorrect, CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL please contact Brian Huber at [email protected].

34 THE CALIFORNIA WOOD DUCK PROGRAM Ducks get boxes, Girl Scout gets top honor MURPHY MARSHALS 20 VOLUNTEERS TO HELP BIRDS Many Boy Scouts look to wood duck maps, a maintenance logbook that the nesting boxes for their Eagle Scout park makes available to visitors, and a project, but we hear from far fewer Girl YouTube video to inspire others to help Scouts. wildlife in their communities. Jordan Murphy motivated others “The best part of putting up the in her community to create and nesting boxes was learning how to maintain wood duck and bluebird build the boxes and knowing I was boxes at Anderson Lake Park in Santa contributing to helping increase the wood Clara County. Her project was key in duck population,” said Murphy. attaining the highest achievement in But it was a heavy lift as well, Girl Scouting, the Gold Award. and COVID-19 didn’t help. It made “I was thrilled to be able to work on everything more difficult and slowed a project that had such impact on the down the schedule when access to the wood duck population,” said Murphy. park was restricted. The Gold Award is the equivalent of “It was more challenging than I the boys’ Eagle Scout Award. Only 5.4% thought, but I learned a lot of skills,” of Girl Scouts attain it, according to Girl Jordan Murphy reached out to California she said, including budgeting, soliciting Scouts of the USA. Waterfowl’s Wood Duck Program as a resource to donations and woodworking. Murphy, 18, enlisted the help of help her complete her Girl Scout Gold Award. “I encourage everyone to think other scouts to build and install seven about ways to take action and help your new boxes They also refurbish four communities,” said Murphy who is now others at the park near Morgan Hill. Murphy worked with attending Sacramento State. Murphy said she is interested in Ranger Brian Christensen and the Santa Clara Valley Audubon studying business and working with a company that has an Society to monitor and report box results. She created trail environmental or wildlife aspect.

Pre-COVID timing works out for ducks Dominic Gillibert started building and “When late May came around, I maintaining boxes with friends in high started counting eggshells, and that school. But the 20-year-old has now told the story of a great hatch during taken it to a new level. He and a handful the shutdowns,” he said. Dominic Gillibert of buddies have 111 boxes on two duck Gillibert got involved through a of Oakland tends club properties, and in 2020 he recorded class project at Campolindo High 111 boxes with nearly 600 successful hatches. School in Moraga and then went the help of his “Every year it’s getting better and to several CWA events to learn buddies. better,” said Gillibert of Oakland. “We about wood ducks and the volunteer had high expectations because the fields program. He and his hunting buddies Gillibert said he enjoys being outside flooded late. There were a lot of wood started building boxes in 2015. He now and seeing the other species attracted to ducks around in March, their nesting attends Diablo Valley College and is the boxes. Boxes on the club properties season. I thought it might be a good transferring to Chico State for the spring also bring in a large number of hooded year, and it sure was.” semester. mergansers. In fact, Gillibert counted SPRING 2021 While the COVID stay-at-home At one Butte Sink club they maintain 231 merg ducklings this year alone. orders restricted many people from 57 boxes and 54 at another. “And I always come across some getting out to check their boxes, While greenheads are his favorite unexpected critters in the nest boxes Gillibert’s timing was perfect. He ducks to hunt, Gillibert said he loves when I am cleaning them out,” he said. cleaned out and maintained his boxes seeing the woodies in the marsh. “I must “When you’re opening more than at the end of February, right before say, I do try to avoid taking the woodie 100 boxes, you’re bound to find some the pandemic hit. So, through the late hens,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for interesting things. I’ve seen ringtails, winter and spring, the boxes were ready them.” rats, opossums, raccoons and bees, lots of for nesting ducks. In addition to the wood ducks, bees. But it’s worth it.” CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL

35 THE CALIFORNIA WOOD DUCK PROGRAM

Jackson Holme, 10, Unfinished business checks a nest box HOLME FAMILY DETERMINED TO SEE that hangs from an DUCKLINGS FLY THE COOP THIS YEAR oak near his home in Wilton. He, his Josh Holme and his two young sons dove into the Wood Duck dad and brother, Program in 2020. They built boxes, put them up along a creek built boxes and near their home and maintained them. Everything went well. participated in the Three hens took up residence in the spring, and the Holme boys program for the first watched their comings and goings. But one day, they were gone. time in 2020. The eggs had hatched, but ducklings left before the boys saw them. It was a bit anticlimactic. “The boys were so interested in seeing the ducklings in the box. I think they had it in their minds that they’d see the 12 ducklings that they helped hatch come out of the nest box,” said Josh, a veterinarian and longtime member of CWA who lives with his wife, Kelly, in Wilton. “But that didn’t happen this year. Hopefully next year.” Next year, Josh is putting up a few trail cams to see the exodus. Said Jackson, 10, “I am looking forward to the next season, and I hope to be able to see the ducklings this time.” His brother is James, 8. 12 EGGS? WHO KNEW? Thankfully, the boys can see various wood ducks in the area, Dad Josh, Jackson, 10, and James, 8, learned a lot about and some of them could have been hatched in their boxes. nest boxes because it was their first year putting them up. For 2021, the family expects to be building more boxes •Hens leave the nest at very specific times. “I told Brian to bring the total to five homemade boxes on the creek that (Huber) I needed to check a box but didn’t want to borders their home. They’ll access some with their kayaks. disturb the hen.” Huber, the Wood Duck Program The Holme’s entrance into the Wood Duck Program is coordinator, told Josh to check it at 4 p.m. “Sure enough, similar to others’ journey. Back in high school, Josh had helped I watched the box, and at 4 p.m., the hen left,” said Josh. friends put up boxes on a public-land creek. He enjoyed it and •You can tell if the ducklings hatched or were victims years later attended Yolo Duck Days with his children. They of predators by looking for the leather-like membrane met CWA volunteers there, and they got bit by the bug. They that surrounded the embryo. If it’s in the egg cup, they realized their new property (they moved into their current home hatched on their own. in 2019) would be a perfect spot for boxes. •Jackson was surprised to learn how many eggs a little The boys are fascinated by the ducks, and this project duck could lay or at least incubate. One hen had 12 satisfied some of Josh’s interest in wildlife biology. Josh studied hatched eggs in her nest (hens are known to drop eggs in wildlife biology in college and was planning a career in the field. other hens’ nests). But a mentor told him there were no jobs in the field and that a •Jackson was interested as well to know how persistent veterinary practice was a more practical career path. starlings are. The Holme boys removed the starling nest, “Hey, wildlife biology and working with nest boxes can but it (or others) kept coming back again and again and always be my hobby, right?” said Josh. laying eggs in the box. Regardless, Josh now has a foot in both fields. “He thought it was only for wood ducks,” said Josh. “We’re all looking forward to getting out there and getting “We all learned a lot about nature from this project.” more active in volunteering with CWA and other groups to help John Geiger SPRING 2021 wildlife and the environment.” —

DISTRICT MANAGERS ARE THE GLUE District managers are vital to the the dedication of these individuals. If and you’re interested in stepping up California Wood Duck Program. you are interested in volunteering in and being a district manager yourself, They train volunteers, gather nest the Wood Duck Program, the district then email Brian Huber at CWA at box building material, raise money manager near you is the person to [email protected]. Thank you and coordinate events. The program contact. (They're listed starting on volunteers and district managers for would not be where it is today without page 32). And if you are a volunteer your commitment to the ducks! CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL

THE CALIFORNIA WOOD DUCK PROGRAM

Steve Simmons Over and Iva Rogers were both $20,000 instrumental in Prizes!! in building the foundation of the Wood Duck Program.

IN TRIBUTE: WOOD DUCKERS LOSE FOUNDING LEADERS IN '20 The California Wood Duck Program lost two pioneering Frank C. Bellrose Award in 1998. She also was a past board volunteers in 2020. member for CWA, and past president of Cal-Ore Wetlands Stephen B. Simmons, the first chairperson, died in June, and Waterfowl Council. The Outdoor Writers Association of while Iva R. Rogers, the group’s second chairperson, died in California honored her as the Californian of the Year in 1995. January 2020. In 1996, Rogers told California Waterfowl, “I am so busy “We lost a lot of great people last year,” said Robert Franco, these days that I can’t hunt as much as I used to, but I enjoy it one of the program’s co-founders. “There are not many of us so.” Rogers loved late-season hunting for mallards, especially around. But I am glad to see the program is going strong.” when there was ice on Tule Lake and Lower Klamath refuges The group started in 1991 and now has more than 400 because “the birds are so big and beautiful that time of year,” volunteers. she said. Simmons, affectionately known as the “Bird Brain,” had She was a hard worker and dedicated, said Franco. built hundreds of wood duck boxes over the years and is said “Iva was a friendly, nice person who just wanted to help to have banded more than 100,000 birds (see “Wood Duck because she loved waterfowl and waterfowl hunting,” he said. Guru,” page 59, California Waterfowl, Fall 2020 issue). She had been involved in CWA since the 1970s and pushed Rogers was a Life Member of CWA and received many to get more women involved in the organization and the sport. awards for her work with the organization, such as the Donations can be made in their memories to CWA. exceptional service award in 1993, 1995 and 1997, and the

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