Wood ducks, common goldeneyes and hooded mergansers nest in cavities on this refuge. Boxes like the one on the pole, supplement natural tree cavities. Often, bits of white stick to the outside of the box, indicating a duck is using it. Stop 3 Cattails are home to many animals. Many birds, including coots and blackbirds, and muskrats, use the thick vegetation for cover.
American coots nest over the water.
Black feathers contrast sharply with the white bill. This bird is slightly smaller than most ducks and usually runs on top of the water before getting airborne. They weave intricate nests in the tops of cattails and feed on the abundant insect life. Muskrats are aquatic rodents that use cattail for food as well as material to build their houses. Canada geese frequently nest on top of muskrat houses.