Conservation students have been learning about waterfowl species along with banding practices of various waterfowl. Through banding, conservationists can learn more about waterfowl migration patterns, population numbers and other essential information. With that data, wildlife biologists can set hunting seasons and bag limits to support healthy waterfowl populations. Furthermore, students learned about waterfowl reproduction habits. Some species like wood ducks, common goldeneyes, and hooded mergansers nest in cavities off the ground. Appropriate cavity nesting sites are critical for maintaining their populations and human impacts have decreased the number of suitable cavities for these species. By constructing and installing secure nesting boxes, students are able to help offset the negative impacts of habitat loss and make a difference in the conservation efforts of numerous cavity-nesting species.
