Boy Scout builds nest boxes for Eagle project

The eagle has landed: Boy Scout Christian Hildebrandt made this and eight other wood duck nest boxes for his Eagle project. Submitted photo

The reason: the wood duck population at Ladd Marsh is likely increasing thanks to the efforts of La Grande Boy Scout Christian Hildebrandt. A member of Troop 516, Hildebrandt has built nine wood duck nest boxes for his Eagle project.

The wooden boxes, light and dark brown, contrast sharply to the hues of their occupants. The wood duck is considered by many North America’s most colorful waterfowl species. Its scientific name, Aix sponsa, reflects this. A combination of Greek and Latin, it translates into “waterbird in bridal dress’’ according to the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Wildlife Management Institute.

Ladd Marsh for wood ducks to nest in.

“They are filling an important need,’’ Larson said.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist adds that the nest boxes are well built and have ideal dimensions for wood ducks. The latter is critical to protect wood ducks from predators like raccoons.

The nest box hole is large enough for wood ducks but small enough to keep raccoons from climbing in. The nest boxes are also deep enough to prevent raccoons from reaching in and grabbing incubating hens off the nest, Larson said.

Hildebrandt worked closely with Larson and Cathy Nowak, also an ODFW biologist, while completing his nest box project. Hildebrandt is a junior at La Grande High School where he is a member of its Future Business Leaders of America chapter, its a cappella choir and its tennis team. He is also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Hildebrandt’s sponsors included: State Rep. Greg Smith, Dist. 57; Union County Commissioner Nellie Bogue Hibbert; Bill Bond of Bond Total Healthcare; Jeff Crews of Eastern Oregon Net Inc.;

La Grande dentists Lynn Harris and Mark Harris; Don Kellogg of Avista Utilities; Russell Perry of Fashion Floors-Carpet One; Christian’s brother, Ryan, of Sterling Bank; and Christian’s parents, Lanny and Ava Hildebrandt, of Hildebrandt & Company PC CPAs.

Troop 516 members who assisted Hildebrandt include John Chadwick, Dallin Haynes, Ryan Shaul and Austin Tibbetts.