Project: Lake Mills Wildlife Area
County: Jefferson
By TJ Schnulle, Lake Mills AWA Lead Volunteer
Mike Alaimo and Shaun Gibbons building tubes.
Lake Mills bunch was at it again. Finally, Mother Nature let us get our nesting structures installed. Our group of volunteers busted their tails for six hours on Saturday, April 1st, bringing our volunteer hours to a total of 56 so far for the year at our Lake Mills/Zeloski Marsh Adopt A Wildlife Area.
AWA Volunteer Chris Scheder showing off his install skills.
Three nesting structures were installed on Rock Lake Marsh and an additional four nesting structures were installed on Mud Lake. We also cleared several cattail bogs to allow easier entrance into Mud Lake between the boat launch and the adjacent canal. Two kayakers and several fishermen caught a glimpse of our work in motion.
We have already had several questions in regards to our mallard tube/wood duck box combos. I did some research on the internet and came across this design that we used. It interested me enough that I contacted Delta Waterfowl and picked their brain on the design. They have documented double boxes and double tubes, but never a combo. Neither doubles ever produced more than a single box/tube, so why not try! This is not an official “experiment” by any means at this point. If it produces, we already have doors opened that would allow us to expand the test area.
Our next projects will not begin until just before hunting season, so until then, enjoy your summer, and if you’re interested in being involved in this or another Adopt A Wildlife Area, please fill out WWA’s Volunteer Form.
The day’s volunteers (left to right): Shaun Gibbons, Ryan Tabaka, T.J. Wangenin, Greg Gibbs, TJ Schnulle, Connie Markham, Chris Scheder and, not pictured, Mike Alamio, behind the camera.