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Warren Jeffery and Mark Gloutney (DUC) inspecting an eider nest in one of the older shelters, October 2007.
Local volunteers lead eider nest shelter project in Cape Breton 
Amherst, N.S., March 12, 2008—A few years ago, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)’s Conservator magazine featured an article highlighting the eider initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador and discussed the benefits of nest shelters for increasing the number of hatched eider nests.
This article inspired a few Cape Breton sportsmen and DUC supporters, Alan Sampson, Warren Jeffery, Rocky Babbin and Robbie Wyre, DUC’s Strait Richmond committee chair, to install eider nest shelters on the coastal islands around Isle Madame, Cape Breton. Armed with nothing but a brief description of shelter design, they scrounged together enough material to build 18 shelters.
“We put shelters on three islands that were reasonably close to shore for easy access and monitoring. One was so close that I could view the shelters and watch hens with just a pair of binoculars from my house,” says Babbin.
The group inspects the shelters yearly and has found that five to 10 ducklings hatched per shelter. In 2006, Robbie Wyre contacted DUC on behalf of the group to relay their success. Needless to say, DUC was thrilled with the report.
“It is remarkable that this group has now installed 40 shelters and are consistently monitoring use of the shelters,” says Deanne Meadus, DUC’s manager of conservation programs in Atlantic Canada. “Based on this report, we recognized a great opportunity to partner with volunteers to increase breeding common eider populations. This year we were able to secure funding from the Environmental Damages Fund, and we now have funding for 125 new shelters.”
The group was ecstatic with the funding news and has moved forward with gusto by recruiting over 20 volunteers from communities across Richmond County to lend a helping hand. The feel-good story has indeed been contagious through the community.
“The rejuvenation of the Strait Richmond DUC chapter has been overwhelming and the dinner committee has doubled since word of this DUC volunteer-led project has spread through the community,” says a pleased Wyre.
For more information, contact:
Kelly MacDonald, k_macdonald@ducks.ca
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: (902) 667-8726 ext 226
