Lancaster 4-H Birding Club (and surrounding counties) 2026

PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING

What is the 4-H Wood Duck Project?

The 2025 4-H Wood Duck Project is open to youth in Lancaster, Kershaw, Lee, Fairfield, Chester, Lexington, Saluda, Richland, Newberry, Union and York counties and is the perfect project for youth with an interest in natural resources.

First piloted by Lancaster County 4-H in 2021, the 4-H Wood Duck Project is an individual study in which youth will learn to manage wood duck habitat and offer nesting opportunities for the birds. The project is a fun and hands-on learning experience that develops life skills, as well as teaches valuable information about our natural resources. Project participants are required to keep a record of their experience through project record tracking sheets (provided).

We will have a virtual kick-off on February 6 at 6:30PM. All those that register will be sent information on how to sign up to attend the ZOOM. An optional in-person Project Kickoff Field Day is scheduled for February 17, 2025 at 1:00PM and more information will come out as the day nears.

There are two options for registration:

Option 1- Registration Only - $10 - This option is for those youth that one of the following applies to:

• do not have access to wood duck habitat but would love to be a part of the project (would participate with the Lancaster County 4-H Agent and boxes he maintains or with another approved volunteer).
• Or, youth may have access to existing duck boxes and habitat and wish to participate with the existing boxes.
• Or, youth wish to build their own wood duck box to participate with (Wood Duck nest box plans can be provided).

Option 2 - Registration + Duck Box + Predator Guard - $30 - This option is limited to the first 9 participants to register due to limited supply of boxes. This option is for youth that have access to suitable wood duck habitat and wish to erect a wood duck box on their own property or property they have permission to use. Your 4-H Agent will discuss with you and verify the suitability of the site to ensure the location qualifies. Youth will receive a wood duck box, a predator shield and tracking sheets along with their registration. (the neeeded 4x4 post and nesting material (pine shavings) are NOT included). In order to successfully complete the project, youth will be required to be active in the project, complete a record sheet for their box, and participate in a short 'no-stress' interview at the conclusion.NOTE: Participants that choose this option will be contacted promptly to get the materials to you. Ideally you should have your box installed by the end of January, although you can still have success if installed a little later.

Important Notes About our Field Day: Our optional field day on February 17 will be held outdoors and will require a short hike through wooded areas and also swampy locations. Closed toe shoes are a must and, although not required, waterproof boots are recommended as the ground is often wet in the duck habitat and nesting areas. Dressing for the weather is also important. With the kickoff field day being the middle of February, there is a high likelihood that the temperatures could be cool. Dress accordingly. Rescheduling of field days will only occur if severe or rainy weather is predicted for the time frame. Youth attending the field day must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Important Dates

• Online registration ends January 24th at 5:00PM.

• Project tracking runs February - July 2025.
• February 6 at 6:30PM - Virtual Project Kickoff ZOOM

• February 17 at 1:00pm - Optional Project kickoff field day (location to be determined, will based upon the distribution of our participants).

• Late February/Early March is typical nesting time for wood ducks in our area, although many will produce a second nest in late spring.
• Completed nest tracking sheets due to your local extension office by August 1, 2025
• Short "no stress" interviews for those that submit their tracking sheets will be held the first part of August to achieve project completion.

Who can participate?

4-H members, ages 5-18, may register for the project. 4-H membership is required. If not already a member for this project year, membership enrollment can be completed online. New members may enroll in 4-H here: https://v2.4honline.com/

If you have any questions, please reach out to 4-H agent:

Steve Hucks, [email protected] -- (803) 804-8602

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