The TECHE Project’s Wildlife Management Workshop will take place at the new Lions Club facility (150 VFW St.) in Port Barre, from 9:30 am to Noon on Saturday, January 9, 2016. It is being held just in time to get your nest boxes installed for the spring wood duck and blue bird nesting seasons! If you’re interested in obtaining and/or managing your own nest box or if you just want to come learn a little about wood duck and eastern blue bird ecology then this workshop is for you. The workshop will start with a general ecology discussion of eastern blue birds and wood ducks by Patti Holland, Council Member and retired biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Council Member Brent Miller and daughter, Adeline will discuss their first-hand experiences from many years of rearing wood ducks on the banks of the Teche. The Miller’s will have some of the ducks they’ve raised so that you can get an up-close, live experience of these beautiful birds. Additionally, there will be tips on how to manage your property to deter nuisance wildlife such as nutria. Both wood duck and blue bird boxes will be available for purchase, and if you live along Bayou Teche, you can get a free Paddle Trail Sign for your wood duck box displaying the mileage of your spot on the bayou! Patti Holland says, “This workshop is a great opportunity for those living near Bayou Teche to be part of the ecological improvement of the watershed while at the same time enjoying the fruits of your labor as young birds emerge from their boxes.”
Bayou Teche property owners are the target audience, but anyone who is interested in raising wood ducks or eastern blue birds will benefit from this workshop. TECHE Project Members get in free, and for non-members, the charge is $10, but you get a discounted membership to the TECHE Project along with that fee.
