18
Mallard Nest Basket
This nest basket can be constructed to attract nesting mallards.
The frame is made of 1/4" diameter steel rod mounted on 1" diameter
steel support pipe. This pipe telescopes inside a 1-1/2" steel pipe with
a set screw to establish the designed height.
Basket should be placed in wetlands where water is 2-4 ft. deep and
where water will remain until at least mid-summer. The basket should
be at least 10 ft. from shore and 3-5 ft. above the water line.
Baskets should be filled with flax straw or other suitable material
and placed within areas containing some cattails or bulrush. It is
easiest to place these nests during the winter, through the ice. They
will need to be maintained annually before the nesting season.
Materials
8' support pipe, 1-1/2" diameter
2' x 2" basket pipe, 1" diameter
13' x 6" steel rod, 1/4" diameter
3' x 3' hardware cloth, 1/2" mesh
Cut here to allow
2" for overlap
36"
16"
2"
18"
18"
26"
Use wire to
secure vegetation
in basket
Bend down
corners and
fasten with wire
26"
Threaded hole
and setscrew
3"
8'
1-1/2" diameter
support pipe
Frame and Basket Assembly
Basket Pattern
Soft wire
(14 gauge)
1/2" mesh
hardware cloth
1/4" diameter rods,
each 20" long
2"
1" diameter pipe,
26" long
Nest Basket
18"
1/4" diameter rod,
82" long
