[obol] hooded mergansers

[Ann Chamberlain]

Does anyone have any experience with nesting hoodies?

I had five female/immature birds on our pond last year.  They pretty  
much fished it out and then left.  About three weeks ago, a male and two 
females arrived.  They were very spooky, flying off as soon as we went 
out of the house.  They hung out for about a week, then disappeared.

Three days ago, a male and a female reappeared.  They have not left the 
pond since, no matter whether we walk by the pond or not.  The male 
frequently seems to be bathing, but I am more inclined to think it is 
courtship displays.  Can't find much in the literature about courtship 
displays.

He dips his head under water, splashes water on his back, then stands up 
in the water, flapping his wings and raising his crest.  He will do this 
several times in row.  The lady does not seem to be paying attention 
today (she is sleeping floating under a willow bush), but she certainly 
was two days ago.

We have a wood duck box on the pond that the tree swallows used last 
year.  We haven't cleaned it out yet, because the water level has been 
too high.  Reading on the Cornell site, it says hoodies use old nesting 
material or whatever is in the cavity.  Should we try to clean the box 
or not?

Advice?  Suggestions?  Notes?  Comments?  I do hope the female stays to 
nest.  This is a wonderful experience!

Ann near Myrtle Creek