Wood Duck Nesting in June?

[Sosalty]

We've lots of Woodies come in last week of Feb. The hen in our tan nest box had 11 ducklings bail out into the pond. An hour later mom led 'em thru the woods to the creek, late April. Sadly, our trail cam wasn't sensitive enough to photo the little guys jumping. (I've reset the sensitivity.) In the past, all the Woodies left in April. This year, our dedicated nesting pair have returned; gone with their ducklings perhaps 5 weeks and are now back to the pond with mom nesting in the box. Seems to be the same pair as they are more familiar/tame with me than any of the others. Do they brood twice in a season?

 

[casportpony]

@MGG might know if they do.

 

[MGG]

We've lots of Woodies come in last week of Feb. The hen in our tan nest box had 11 ducklings bail out into the pond. An hour later mom led 'em thru the woods to the creek, late April. Sadly, our trail cam wasn't sensitive enough to photo the little guys jumping. (I've reset the sensitivity.) In the past, all the Woodies left in April. This year, our dedicated nesting pair have returned; gone with their ducklings perhaps 5 weeks and are now back to the pond with mom nesting in the box. Seems to be the same pair as they are more familiar/tame with me than any of the others. Do they brood twice in a season?
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Yes they can. We have a new pair nesting right here in our yard too, they just started yesterday. They most likely lost all of their first ducklings, they usually stay with them until the hen molts in the fall.

 

[Sosalty]

Makes sense. We've loads of young hawks squawking thru the day. One coyote goes on a yipping spree multiple times a day. He is wily and has outsmarted me at every attempt to get him. He comes close but remains in cover. I've never seen him. There's snappers in the creek. The grown woodies hang out there, but I don't see how little ducks could survive there. If some of the ducklings would survive, I believe they'd return some day to nest by our pond. Nature is harsh. Thanks for the info.

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