Wood Duck Behavior Question

There is a fresh water marshy area here in New Hampshire that I often go to because I often see Great Blue Herons there as well as some Red Winged Blackbirds and some mallards. Well. one day last week I was surprised to see a flock of Wood Ducks in there. Now I see them every day in there. I have counted at least 10 of them.

So, my question is what is the probability that they come back next year?

Below is an image of some of them.

I'm no expert, but in my neck of the woods there are certain locations where a brood of ducklings is being raised every season like clockwork. My assumption has always been that the same mother comes back every year and raises her brood in familiar territory. I rarely ever see the adult male.

Airedale1 wrote in post #18918056
.
Well, one day last week I was surprised to see a flock of Wood Ducks in there. Now I see them every day in there.
.

My guess is that since you never saw them before that day last week, they were probably hatched and fledged somewhere else not too far from your marsh, and then flew to your marsh last week.

If the hen had nested in this area, then there is a strong likelihood that she would nest there again, as suitable cavities are difficult for Wood Ducks to find, so they often return to use the same nest each year. . But since she probably nested elsewhere (but nearby), and then brought her brood here after they were raised and able to fly, the likelihood of a return is less certain.

Technically, this could be considered a staging area, as it is an area of habitat being used temporarily between the nesting period and the wintering period. . Whether or not ducks return to the same exact staging area is largely dependent on variables such as climate and water levels.

Here where I live is primarily staging habitat, as very few ducks nest here and very few ducks winter here. . Some years, large numbers of ducks spend several weeks staged here in the spring as they wait for things to thaw out in the north where they nest. . Other years, they don't come to this area until later, when things in the north are already thawed out ..... in those years they just pass through briefly and may only spend one day here before they are again on their way. . Same thing when it comes to autumn staging; some years, they are here for a couple of weeks, other years they just pass through. . It all depends on the conditions here and also on the conditions in the area that they are headed for.

As far as this brood of Wood Ducks is concerned, I suspect that when the ducklings were grown enough to fly, and she wanted to take them to stage in more fertile habitat, that she investigated all of the wetlands in your area, and picked this marsh of yours because the water level was just right for being able to access a lot of food. . Next year, water levels may be a little bit different, and another wetland in the area might suit her needs a bit better. . In fact, at any time you may have a heavy rainfall, and that could cause another nearby wetland to be more suitable to her, especially as they would have already gleaned all of the easiest-to-get food from this marsh.

.

That looks like an excellent site and a great photo.

I've been visiting a site that has Wood Ducks wintering every year for 4 years. It's a small pond, like many in this part of Oregon, but has good cover at the water, oak trees and, most especially, very little disturbance. This winter there were variable numbers of Wood Ducks, among others, up to a grand maximum of 110 one day, but often in numbers of around 50. They are there for the food, acorns, and rest, while building up reserves for Spring migration. Yours might be doing the same.

They don't nest on this pond, but they are totally reliable to spend late Fall and Winter as late season juveniles, like yours, and full adults. The numbers dwindeled until they were gone as of about April 15.

If you have access to your site and can visit it daily, +/-, the birds will become accustomed to you (in your car or in a blind, not in full view of your body!) and might, eventually come very close. If permitted, they will look forward to bird seed or cracked corn and that will get them accustomed faster.

You might ask other folks there, if the ducks are regulars, and plan to make more visits next Fall.

Good luck,