INNISFAIL - Members of the Innisfail Fish and Game Association are doing their part to help out feathered friends.
The local group installed 10 Delta Waterfowl Hen Houses on Napoleon Lake in Innisfail on Feb. 11.
"They're for all waterfowl. Mostly ducks like mallards, gadwall and maybe teal, but the majority will be used by mallard ducks," said Doug Roberts, vice-president of the association.
Up until now there were no nesting structures or tunnels, as they are commonly called, for waterfowl to use around Napoleon Lake, noted Roberts, adding the group felt there was a need for them.
"Ducks come here and use the lake in the summertime for nesting and there's no safe structure for them to make their nests on," he added.
Ian Stuart, a member of the association, said there is no upland habitat for waterfowl to nest on.
"Mallards typically nest on the ground fairly close to a wetland. There's nowhere for them to nest here, other than that narrow strip around the lake, so predators like skunks, foxes, which are around here, and ravens can find the nest easily," said Stuart. "Ideally in nature, mallards would be a needle in a haystack so predators don't find every nest."
In addition to providing safety and security for nesting waterfowl the tunnels also help increase nesting success.
"The nesting success is as low as 10 per cent if they're nesting naturally now," said Stuart. "These greatly increase the chances of successful nesting."
The nesting tunnels are made of flax straw with metal wire around the outside to hold the shape. They sit on top of a metal pole in a cradle about three feet above the water, noted Stuart.
The 10 waterfowl nesting tunnels are expected to be put to use this spring, although they may not all be used.
"As soon as there's open water, they'll start scoping out (nest sites)," said Stuart.
Erie Long, president of the association, said this is the first project of its kind for the club but won't be its last.
"The goal is to have it as an ongoing project," said Long, noting they are using materials donated by club members this year. "We're applying for a grant (with the Alberta Conservation Association) for next year so we can have this as an ongoing project."
They hope to buy more materials next year and expand the nesting project to outlying areas.
The association will monitor the nests over the spring and summer and ensure they are ready for waterfowl.
"Next fall or winter when we come in and do the yearly maintenance on them, we'll be able to tell whether the nesting tunnel has been used," said Long.
Ian Stuart, member of the Innisfail Fish and Game Association
"The nesting success is as low as 10 per cent if they're nesting naturally now. These greatly increase the chances of successful nesting."
