Mallard nest box design wanted

[Gallus]

I have a pair of Mallard visiting my pond, the pond has a small island on it and I would like to try to encourage the birds to nest there, The Ducks nest close to the pond but appear never to raise a family possibly because of predators.
Can anyone help.

[Steve G]

I have a pair of Mallard visiting my pond, the pond has a small island on it and I would like to try to encourage the birds to nest there, The Ducks nest close to the pond but appear never to raise a family possibly because of predators.
Can anyone help.
Hi Gallus,
Try this link(hopefully it'll work): www.apbz08.dsl.pipex.com/garden%20themes/birds/bird%20boxes/nest%20boxes%20-%20table%20of%20contents.htm
Cheers,
Steve

[Dave B Smith]

Gallus,
I'm not sure how different the nesting habits are of the European Mallards. In the US, they are primarily ground nesting. There are some man made nest structures designed for Mallards, but they are still an open nest rather than an enclosed box. They can be set on land or in shallow water.
Try this link for Mallard Nest Structure (http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/tools/homenest/homenest.htm)
Good luck and we'll be looking forward to pics of the little ones!