By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Feb. 11, 2021) The Berlin Mayor and Council approved a request for wood duck boxes at Heron Park during its virtual meeting on Monday night.

PHOTO COURTESY EWAN BETZ
Worcester County 4-H member Ewan Betz and his father make wood duck boxes that will be installed near the ponds at Heron Park in Berlin for nesting season.

Ewan Betz, an 11-year-old homeschooler and Worcester County 4-H member in Berlin, proposed adding the boxes at the park on Old Ocean City Boulevard to attract more of the waterfowl.

“I love birding at Heron Park because it is near my house, and wood ducks are beautiful creatures and we could attract more of them to the park,” he said.

Wood ducks have strong claws that allow them to perch on trees. They favor shallow inland lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers and swamps, especially those surrounded by woods.

“It would also bring birders to town,” Betz added. “They might stay and get some lunch and shop.”

Mayor Zackery Tyndall explained to Betz that those are referred to as secondary economic benefits.

“So, your wood duck boxes could help drive some revenue for downtown businesses,” Tyndall said. “That’s good to hear.”

Responding to Councilman Jay Knerr, Betz said the wood duck boxes will last about 25 years if properly maintained, which includes an annual cleaning out of the box and checking for repairs.

Betz personally committed to the maintenance of the boxes.

The wood duck boxes are made from cedar planks, salt-treated 4-by-4 lumber posts, Quikrete fast-setting concrete mix, wire mesh and predator baffle.

In his application, Betz stated that the town will not need to assist with personnel or equipment. He makes the boxes with his father in the garage.

“If you don’t mind, take some pictures along the way too, so we can help share that to our social media platforms and with the press,” Tyndall said.

The boxes will be mounted 6 feet off the ground on the 4-by-4 salt-treated posts a few feet from the edge of the ponds. The actual boxes are 29 inches tall and 9 inches wide and 13 inches deep.

Betz aims to have two to three boxes at Heron Park by mid- to late March for nesting season. He agreed to inform the town when he plans to install the boxes.

“Although the timing of this did not allow for the Parks Commission to review the request before this evening, this is definitely something that they would very much be in favor of, so I have no doubt about their support,” said Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen.

Councilman Jack Orris moved to approve the request and it passed with a unanimous vote.