Timing of Nest Searches for Upland Nesting Waterfowl

Searches for duck nests should maximize the probability of locating nests, while minimizing the possibility of causing nest abandonment. Thus, we collected nest attendance data for 44 mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), 13 blue-winged teal (A. discors), 12 lesser scaup (Aythya affinis), 8 northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), 6 gadwall (A. strepera), and 4 green-winged teal (A. crecca) females to determine the optimal times of day to search for active nests. Females of most species attended nests from 0800 to 1400 central standard time (CST). The overall probability of nest attendance during this time was 91.4 ± 2.6 (SE) %. Consequently, nest searches for upland nesting waterfowl should be initiated after 0800 and should be terminated by 1400 CST