Duck Success!

 The Hooded Merganser, April, and her ducklings have left the nest.  When I checked the trail cam last night, I saw no activity for the 18th, but a whole series of shots were taken on the 17th that had nothing on them.  The shots on the 17th were mostly at mid day, and I think the little ducklings were coming out of the entry hole and falling faster than the camera could catch them.  After seeing no activity on the cam today, the 19th, I decided to take a look in the nest box.  All the ducklings and April were gone, and there were no dead ducklings.  The egg shells were broken into small fragments, so I couldn't estimate how many eggs were laid.  There were some down feathers present.

April on Monday the 16th.

The nest today, Thursday the 19th.

There are fewer and fewer old trees and snags with cavities available for cavity nesting ducks.  Installing duck boxes can make up for some of this loss.  I have moved both my trail cams to the edge of the river, one upstream from the duck box, and one downstream.  It would be very cool to get a video of the new family!