Community Corner
Wood Ducks In Walnut Creek
A group of volunteers have ensured that the Walnut Creek wood ducks continue to be an important part of the community.
Wood ducklings have emerged in Walnut Creek, thanks to the efforts of Brian Murphy, the California Waterfowl Association, and the Diablo Audubon Society volunteers. There are at last count 11 new ducklings.
Murphy and the volunteers have placed boxes in downtown creeks to replace the cavities in tress that the wood ducks used to nest in. The project, initiated in 1991, has brought the wood duck back to the creek areas. Murphy said that the Army Corps of Engineers, in creating flood control projects in the creek during the 1950s, took away most of the trees in which the wood ducks made their nests. The wood duck is a shy bird, and needs someplace quiet and hidden from view in which to nest.
So the group has replaced those nesting places with boxes that fit the bill, so to speak.
Boxes are in Walnut Creek, San Ramon Creek, Tice Valley Creek and Heatgher Farm Park.
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