James H. Burbank

In 1971 a joint Tennessee Valley Authority-Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency effort began to increase wood duck (Aix sponsa) productivity, test nest structure acceptability, and document competition-predator problems on a 12.5-mile segment of the upper Holston River in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Over 90 standard wooden, rocket, and horizontal wood duck nest boxes were installed. Duck use of nest boxes increased from 6 percent in 1971 to 44 percent by 1975. Woodie preferences progressed during this time as follows: wooden boxes, 12 percent to 55 percent use; rocket boxes, 3 percent to 57...

In response to a need for information on wood duck habitat in north Alabama for use in a TVA regional land-use planning report, a quick method of assessing overall streamside breeding habitat was developed and executed in 1970. Biologists from TVA and the Alabama Department of Conservation participated. All streams large enough to be noted on each road map of the II counties were visited at all points crossed by roads. The immediate habitat was rated as good, fair, or poor and! or none. The following criteria were used: Good: Wide mix of 14" + dbh hardwoods, overmature trees visible,...