First nest of 2014

The first nest of the 2014 nesting season is a Hooded Merganser nest. The first egg was 2-4-14. Hooded Mergansers lay 1 egg every 2 days and usually lay about 12 eggs total. Incubation begins after all 12 eggs are laid and hatch is from 28 to 35 days of incubation. A video is at Woodiecam1 on Ustream.com. She covers the eggs when she leaves the box to prevent freezing.
Rup @ the Woodiecams