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Duck nest monitoring project

Do your bit for breeding wildfowl

Duck nest tubes can support breeding wildfowl, primarily mallard, by improving hatching success. More than 80 per cent of occupied duck nest tubes hatch successfully.

Report your annual observations here

Every nest counts!

Findings so far...

Prior breeding

We found higher nest tube occupancy and hatching success rates in areas where mallard had not previously bred. Action: Consider placing nest tubes in suitable wetland habitat with little or no recent mallard breeding to create new nesting opportunities.

Predator control

We found higher hatching success where avian predators were managed. However, ground predator control made no significant difference to nest tube occupancy or hatching success. Question: Do avian predators, such as corvids, regularly interact with nest structures on your site during the breeding season? If so, consider legal and appropriate avian predator management alongside nest provision.

Duration

We found that occupancy and hatching success rates in nest tubes increased over time. Action: Treat artificial nests as long-term conservation tools rather than short-term interventions. Commit to long-term placement and annual maintenance to maximise their effectiveness.

Duck nest monitoring project

Duck nest monitoring report 2025

Read the latest project updates detailing nest use, hatching success rates and more

Find the previous reports here.

Why duck nest tubes?

The Waterfowlers’ Network launched the duck nest monitoring project in 2021, and BASC is its UK representative.

This practitioner-led project aims to improve wildfowl breeding success and better understand the factors influencing artificial nest use and success. By submitting annual observations, participants provide consistent data on nest occupancy and hatching results, helping track how artificial nests support wildfowl productivity.

The ground-nesting nature of mallard and other wildfowl makes them particularly vulnerable to harsh weather, predation and disturbance. With the breeding success of some species, including mallard, in decline, artificial nests can provide valuable shelter and protection during the breeding season.

As custodians of one of Europe’s most popular quarry species, the shooting community can help safeguard healthy wildfowl populations and the habitats they depend on by installing duck nest tubes and carrying out habitat management.

Duck nest monitoring project prize draw

Monitor your nests and submit your observations to be in with a chance of winning a ZEISS Secacam 3 wide angle this year.

How to get involved

Do you own or manage a pond, lake or wetland? Installing duck nest tubes is an easy, low-cost way to support breeding wildfowl.

Build your own using the resources below, or contact your regional BASC office for free nest tube materials and advice on or in-person support with building and siting nest tubes.

Spotlight on Duckling Watch

No nest tubes or land to put them on? No problem. You can still support wildfowl research by reporting duckling sightings to Duckling Watch, a University of Essex PhD project part-funded by BASC that tracks mallard duckling survival after fledging.

Anyone can take part, whether you manage habitat, plan to install nest tubes or simply enjoy walks in your local area where mallard breed.

For more information, visit Duckling Watch or contact Hannah Coburn at ducks@essex.ac.uk .

A quick guide to building, siting, maintaining and monitoring

Other resources

How to build & site a duck nest tube

Downloadable and printable PDF instructions

Monitoring notes template

A simple way to keep track of your nest tubes

What you need to do and when

Wetland creation & management

From maintenance to monitoring and habitat management

But don’t just take our word for it...

Duck nest tubes are a simple, practical way to give nesting mallard greater protection from predators and disturbance. While it can take time for ducks to begin using them, many participants have seen the benefits firsthand – and once a tube is occupied, ducks and their offspring usually return to the same spot year after year.

Discover why people across the country have installed duck nest tubes and what the experience has meant to them.

“This year we added a little alpaca fleece inside the tubes to see if it makes a difference. It also offers the ducks a bit of comfort.”

"We focus on improving wetland habitat by working on reedbeds, marginal vegetation and insect-rich areas to support chick rearing."

"Supplementary feeding, such as mealworms, is important to support early broods until natural insect availability increases."

"We use thick wire mesh formed in a circle, packed with hay (not straw), and a plastic sheet between layers on top for rain protection."

"It can be hard work putting the tubes up, watching them, feeding the ducks and protecting them from predators. But it’s all worthwhile when you see your first brood hatch in one and then jump out into the water – that’s reward enough!"

"At the start of the year we arrange a work party to refresh all the duck tubes and clear out all the small bird boxes and owl boxes. Once nesting season has commenced we monitor the tubes and boxes, using the same book to log all our data. Once birds/owls are of suitable ages, we ring them with help from the BTO. At the end of the season all nesting data is submitted to BASC."