Rotarians  installed American wood duck nesting boxes

along the Sacramento River

Randy Smith, Stream Team Co-Chair

 The work continues........

Janauary 20th 2011

A Steam Team octet installed the same number of American wood duck boxes in an equal span of hours today near the Sundial Bridge.  Many thanks belong to everyone especially “Hickory” (battlefield promotion, no “Stick” any longer) Paget and “Never Swear” Dave Gerard.  They stayed the afternoon when others had other fights to win. 
“Consultant” Chapin and “Itchy” Morrison extracted a vandalized 4x4 post from last year which was embedding in concrete and readied another installation for placement.  This was after preparing a site on the South Bank.  “Wilderness” Ball with daughter Carly helped Paget on the North Bank.  Meantime, “Techie” Gaston, “Sausage” Malotky, Gerard and “No Battery” Creeky charged around trying to find “lost” equipment which was still at the leader’s home.  At times this outfit ran like the Keystone Cops, but a matchless setting in perfect weather, good conversation and accomplishment on behalf of our community and a precious resource was enough to make everyone feel worthwhile, even if the commander was missing some parts. 
If you walk the Sundial Bridge, all those six boxes are visible and they will have use this year.  Besides this adventure, it was very gratifying to have so many citizens stop to make inquiry, to give thanks and express hope that they might see these lovely birds soon.  Best of all, was the comment made after many question from a young biker.  She said she was doing yoga now at the new structures near Keswick Dam.  Furthermore, she told that many people have discovered this other recent “hands on” project which bears our logo.

January 17th 2009

There are those who think the Stream Team is a bunch of weed whacking, chain sawing, litter gathering, herbicide spraying, brush busting buccaneers.  But they have never seen the like of today's. Dozen Duck Dragoons (D. D. D.) from age 3 to 72.  Eight Missouri Department of Conservation, Rotary Club of Redding (RCR) hand crafted, western red cedar, American wood duck nesting boxes were installed on trees and posts immediately east of the Sacramento River between the Cypress Avenue Bridge and the Riverview Clubhouse.  Another two of these nesting boxes will be placed in Cascade Park at the mouth of Olney Creek on MLK Day.  This is the beginning of a three year project to boost City of Redding production of one of our continent's most stunningly exotic appearing species.  

   Cory Reagan, a teacher at University Prep School, is a long time wood duck supporter and acted as a very knowledgeable working consultant.Cory once maintained a still mostly extant large field of  boxes between Redding and Anderson  "Tool Crib" Reynolds brought necessary implements, two other generations of help, took pictures and drilled pilot holes. 

   "Out of Africa" Koenigsaecker brought foreign intrigue while supervised his lovely daughters working and learning.  "Captain Rainbow" aka "Stump Rider" Malotky received a battlefield promotion for bravery and hardship above and beyond the call of duty.  Eventually, pictures of his great personal risk and achievement will fill the void which words can not express.  "Techie" Gaston cut obstructing branches, photographed progress,  gathered ballast rocks and got whatever was needed. 

   "Faithful" Lenroot hauled supplies, found new locations, added a measure of class and dignity to the proceedings and gave encouragement with helpful advice.  "Wilderness" Ball pounded posts, held ladders and boxes, trued lines, said "I didn't do much, but I learned a lot" and seemed to enjoy the morning.  Creeky bought donuts and water, fought bravely against Himalayan blackberry while trying to slay Acacia as a side venture and was very impressed by the amount of work, skill and caring which was everywhere evident.  Those under ten performed the vital task of hand loading poplar shavings into the boxes and delightedly found wayward golf balls as if they were solid gold. 

   "Splinter" Seamans should get some mention for being able but absent. He called and found the endeavor was already fully staffed.  Likely, he would have had trouble with all the good natured ribbing which took place during the entire effort. 

   In a month, wood duck pairs return home looking for nesting sites.  They will find new accommodations made by President Pat, "Rainbow" and Cky and installed this morning by the D. D. D.  Hopefully, the new generation will be seen by you during April and early May and throughout the summer somewhere in the wilds of wonderful Redding.  Earth Day celebrations this year at the end of April carry a T. V. documentary which includes wood duck chicks emerging from nest boxes to the mother hen's expectant chorus of commands.  Usually twelve leave this shelter within a few hours of hatching.   It can't get much better than watching this cycle and knowing you were part of it.   Thank you RCR and especially those present for a very successful first Battle of the Wood Duck Boxes.