Current Research

The Nesting Biology of Mallards in Illinois

In recent years, nesting Mallards have become more common in Illinois; however, their nesting biology has never been investigated. A six-year study was initiated in the spring of 1998 to collect information on the nesting biology and brood survival of Mallards nesting in the Illinois River valley. Hen Mallards were captured in Fulton County, fitted with radio transmitters, and then monitored to determine their nesting habits and success.

Evaluation of Moist-soil Plant Communities Response to Water Level Management

Wetlands in Illinois, and principally the Illinois River valley, are significant migration areas for waterfowl in the Mississippi Flyway. Aerial inventories of waterfowl conducted by the INHS since 1948 documented that Lake Chautauqua (near Havana, IL) is the most important waterfowl refuge in the Illinois River valley with respect to population numbers and use. With proper management of water levels, vast expanses of mud flats in Lake Chautauqua are available for the establishment of moist-soil plants. The objectives of this study are to monitor the development, species composition, and seed production of the moist-soil plant communities responding to different water management schemes and to recommend the water management scenario potentially best suited for moist-soil plant communities and waterfowl use.

Waterfowl Aerial Inventories

Aerial inventories of waterfowl numbers, species composition, and distribution have been conducted throughout Illinois during fall, winter, and spring migrations since 1948. The massive amount of data provided has vastly improved our understanding of the chronology of migration, the effects of refuges, the value of wetlands, and the distribution of waterfowl in Illinois.

Natural-cavity Use by Nesting Wood Ducks in Illinois

Wood Ducks recovered from excessive harvest in the late 1800s and early 1900s to become the most abundant nesting duck in Illinois. Wood Ducks have ranked second to Mallards in the Illinois duck harvest for 31 of the last 36 years. Nevertheless, relatively little research has been conducted on availability and use of natural tree cavities by nesting Wood Ducks. Most investigations of nesting Wood Ducks have used artificial nest boxes where only 5% of Wood Duck production occurs. The objectives of this study were to investigate Wood Duck nesting and success in natural cavities, the density of natural cavities suitable for nesting by Wood Ducks, and the physical characteristics of cavities used for nesting by Wood Ducks in a major river floodplain.