August - September, 2015
The month of August and the first two weeks of September are wood duck banding time. We banded once or twice a week during this time. While the process of banding is the same as banding doves, trapping of the wood ducks is much more difficult.
Three government agencies were on hand to band...Fish and Wildlife, South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources and Dept. of Agriculture.
Baiting began in June and continued on a daily basis until we were done banding...
 |
| Kellie baiting back in June |
As the days and weeks went by, we baited further back from the water.
Unlike doves where metal traps were used, a net
is used to trap the wood ducks.
 |
| site of baiting, trapping and banding |
As I said, trapping of the wood ducks was more complicated than that of the doves. The net was laid out in front of the water and attached to rockets. At daybreak the ducks would come in to feed. The rockets were detonated from a vantage point of 200 yards away. A spotting scope was used to determine the number of ducks that were feeding. Once the rockets were detonated, the net was launched, trapping any ducks that were on the ground eating the bait.
 |
| net attached to rockets. notice the lighter spots on the ground? that is the bait |
 |
| close-up of rockets |
 |
| gathering at daybreak, waiting for the crack of the rockets being launched |
 |
| sunrise |
 |
| notice the smoke in the background? from the rockets detonating |
The sound of the rockets detonating (a loud crack) was our cue to jump into the trucks and hurry to the site. Our goal was to extricate the ducks as soon as possible from the net (this whole process is very stressful for them). As each duck was removed from the net, it was placed into a crate for holding. Once a crate was full, we placed a sheet over the top of the crate. This helped keep the ducks calmer.
 |
| our goal is to get the ducks extricated from the nets quickly and safely |
 |
| Kevin, our law enforcement agent, removing a duck. |
 |
| South Carolina DNR helping out |
 |
| Marcie, the Refuge Manager, ready to put a duck into a crate |
 |
when placing a duck into, or removing one from the crate, we would work
together to insure we didn't have any escapees! |
 |
| ducks safely crated |
 |
| sheets covering the crates |
 |
| metal bands. each band is numbered |
 |
| holding the tools of the trade |
Once all of the ducks are safely in the crates, they are removed one at a time for banding.
We had two people banding.
 |
| getting ready to band |
 |
| placing the band on the leg |
 |
| closing the band |
 |
| tightening the band with a slight overlap. these bands do not hurt the ducks |
 |
| banding is complete |
Once a duck is banded it's wing is checked to determine it's age -- hatch year or after hatch year...
 |
| checking out her wing |
The band number, sex and age of the duck is then recorded onto a data sheet...
 |
| recording the data |
Following the banding and data recording, the duck was taken to be swabbed for avian flu. This was done by the USDA. This information was also recorded on a data sheet...
 |
| oh! the indignity!! |
 |
| it's mouth was also swabbed |
Finally, when these steps were completed, the wood duck was released...
 |
| free at last! |
 |
| while we were banding, these wood storks flew over head |
 |
| waiting to get banded |
 |
| demonstrating another way to hold them. |
 |
| their colors are beautiful. love the red eye |
 |
| beautiful wing colors |
 |
| females are also beautiful |
After all of the ducks have been banded, swabbed and released, it's time
to pack up...
 |
| folding up the net |
 |
| Jim, one of our heavy equipment operators, rolling up the net for the next use |
We were so blessed to be able to participate in this...we learned so much are so grateful for opportunity!
Til next time,
Ron, Dawn & Cooper
No comments:
Post a Comment