SEAFWA 2018

AUTHORS: Paul Schmidt, Paul Schmidt Consulting for Conservation; Dr. Ernie Wiggers, Nemours Wildlife Foundation; Dr. Richard Kaminski, James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Center, Clemson University

ABSTRACT: Waterfowl and wildlife experts of federal, state, and non-governmental organizations, universities, and private land managers from Delaware through Florida assembled 20-22 February 2018 at Nemours Wildlife Foundation in South Carolina. The purpose of this facilitated workshop was to identify research priorities which will enhance our ability to conserve and manage habitats, species, and populations of waterfowl in the south Atlantic Flyway. Because it ranks at the top in birds harvested in many states in this region, one of the highest priority needs was to evaluate factors affecting nest site selection and recruitment of wood ducks. Likely, tens of thousands of artificial nest structures for wood ducks and other cavity nesters have been deployed across eastern North America. However, there are few studies that have adequately measured wood duck recruitment and examined the association among micro- and macro-habitat features associated with box placement and recruitment. Technology, such as Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT tags), is being used in California to examine these questions in ways not previously possible and these techniques can be applied in other regions of the wood duck range. Wood duck recruitment studies are needed to guide future placement of nest structures and possibly move existing structures to superior locations that promote recruitment. For this research to have the greatest application it should be done across multiple states and landscapes. This will require building coordinated organizational and financial partnerships and include funding through the private sector.