"No permit is required merely to scare or herd depredating migratory birds other than endangered or threatened species or bald or golden eagles"
(for additional details on this excerpt from the DEC regulations, please click here.)

If you have a duck's nest that has been constructed in an inconvenient or inappropriate location and the duck has already laid its eggs in it.  Here is what you should do to herd the duck family to a safe area AFTER the eggs have hatched.

First count the eggs; then contain the area with plywood.  Leave the top of the enclosure open so the mother duck has free access to come and go as she pleases.

Next, monitor the nest and wait for the eggs to hatch.

Once the eggs have hatched, wait until the mother is on the nest, then carefully capture her in the enclosure (this is easier to do at night) by putting netting across the top of the structure so she can't escape.

Capture the mother duck first.

Place the mother duck in a separate carrier of her own.

Capture the ducklings, being sure not to leave any behind (remember how many eggs there initially were in the nest).

Look for hidden babies

Put the babies  in a SEPARATE carrier from their mother.

Remove ducks from dangerous area.

IMPORTANT:   Let babies go first....approximately 5 feet away from mother, preferably near a water source. Stay behind mother's carrier.

Once the ducklings are out; let the mother out slowly, so she doesn't spook and take off.

Babies will follow mother to water.