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Post subject: We have new tenants
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 8:16 pm
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Location: NL Canada
A few days ago we had a couple come by and check out our place and over the weekend the decided that they loved the place and felt comfortable enough to settle down and raise a family here.They built a nest under one of the bridges on our garden pond-they are in fact a pair of Mallard ducks.They have been hanging around the pond pretty steady for the past 10-14 days and I noticed yesterday that they had built a nest under the bridge.When wild ducks build a nest it means 2 main things,first,they find the place comfortable and safe and second and most importantly,is that they are getting ready to breed.We used to have 2 female ducks several years ago and every day when we got home from work,they'd get out of the pond and waddle up to the car to greet us.Often when we came home they would already out of the pond and hanging around Buddy, our German Shepherd.She'd just lie down and nap while they sat beside her quacking a quite lullaby,they must have felt safe when they were around her and she no doubt would've eaten anything that tried to harm them.

Anyway we are looking forward to having a few ducklings paddling around the pond in a few weeks-I'll post some baby pix of them when and if they come.I'll have to keep a close eye on the cats because although the ducklings would be safe in the pond when they are in the nest-even though it's under the bridge-they will be somewhat vulnerable because a determined cat can be pretty agile and devious.The ducks must have figured that the cats wouldn't be a problem,anyway I'll be getting some chicken wire to go around the entire bridge and for extra good measure,extend it into the pond.

BTW they must be finding lots to eat because they haven't left for a minute in the past several days-as far as I can see.We have huge water beetles in our pond that are the biggest that I have ever seen,they are usually no bigger than 3/4 on an inch long and wide in this area but the ones in our pond are the size of a loonie,dollar coin or about 1 1/8 - 1 1/4 in diameter.The smaller water beetles can give you a very nasty bite because they are carnivorous and voracious feeders so I can imagine that the large ones that we have would be able to take a faif size chunk of flesh from its victims.If the ducks are feeding on them there are certainly enoughof them there to keep them well fed.A couple of years ago we put tadpoles in the pond and the water beetles had them all eaten in just 2 days-goldfish had the same fate a couple of years before.We put them in the pond because they can survive Newfoundland winters-even with the pond frozen over-as long as there is enough water for them to swim and feed in.I have seen them grow to almost a foot long in local outdoor pools and garden ponds.If the ducks eradicate the beetles I may try goldfish and tadpoles again-that is if they're not favourite snacks for mallards.Later on this summer I'll be able to make myself a Mallard Fizz(that's an in-joke for Monty Python addicts).

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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 8:23 pm
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That's cool. Wild ducks for pets.
Hopefully the ducks will take care of the water beetles. Look forward to seeing your pics of the baby ducklings.

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Last edited by grho50 on Sun May 26, 2013 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 9:24 pm
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Location: orygun
being based in Oregon,i gotta say Go Ducks :lol:


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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 9:26 pm
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That is really cool, and i.m.h.o. an honor to watch them raise ducklings


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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 10:11 am
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Location: So far out there, it's unbelievable!
Ducks are great! That's funny how they were with the dog. As you say, "very comfortable".

Back when I was sharing a house with room mates, for some reason, someone owned two ducks. We had a small pond that they lived in and sometimes we would take them for a ride in the car down to the lake and try to teach them how to fly. :lol:

Unfortunately the coyotes were able to get through the wire mesh at the pond and goodbye Otis and Leroy! :(

Have fun with them!
Cheers,
Gridlock


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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 11:18 am
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Pretty cool Derek having wildlife at ease right on your doorstep, I'd end up having to check on them last thing at night and first thing in the morning, I remember sitting at traffic lights in a busy road and in the corner of my eye catching sight of mama duck and her brood waddling up and crossing the road as if it were the most natural thing to do no water in sight that I knew of, just one of those times you wish you had caught on camera, I remember another time seeing a Crow at a high school I was visiting sitting at a glass door of a music classroom cawing every time they started to play their instruments, makes you wonder sometimes, anyhoo I expect you'll be stocking up on plenty of towels and hot water :lol:


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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 11:27 am
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I live in a Condo which has two long individual garages w/ flat roofs.

These roofs often have standing water on them and we get a pair of Mallards every year nest there. It's inyeresting how one will always be on the nest, motionless.

It is usually the Hen, but the Drake will spot her so she can go get something to eat. They leave as soon as the ducklings can fly, but return every year.

We are also 500' away from a 30-story high-rise Apt. bldg. and it is used by a pair of Peregrine Falcons as their nest. It is amazing to see them fly or to swoop down after spotting a Rabbit or Squirrel.

We also live across the street from the Mississippi River, and have had a pair of Bald Eagles living there for nearly ten years - they have raised several broods. These are birds of habit and hunt on a very regular schedule. On any given day between 10:45 and 11:00 am, they will begin to hunt working thewir way upstrem looking for fish, rodents, etc. This brings them right past our living room picture window. The male's wingspan is better than 12'... he looks like a little airplane and casts an immense shadow on the ground.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 3:20 pm
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Location: So far out there, it's unbelievable!
Lightnin MN wrote:
I live in a Condo which has two long individual garages w/ flat roofs.

These roofs often have standing water on them and we get a pair of Mallards every year nest there. It's inyeresting how one will always be on the nest, motionless.

It is usually the Hen, but the Drake will spot her so she can go get something to eat. They leave as soon as the ducklings can fly, but return every year.

We are also 500' away from a 30-story high-rise Apt. bldg. and it is used by a pair of Peregrine Falcons as their nest. It is amazing to see them fly or to swoop down after spotting a Rabbit or Squirrel.

We also live across the street from the Mississippi River, and have had a pair of Bald Eagles living there for nearly ten years - they have raised several broods. These are birds of habit and hunt on a very regular schedule. On any given day between 10:45 and 11:00 am, they will begin to hunt working thewir way upstrem looking for fish, rodents, etc. This brings them right past our living room picture window. The male's wingspan is better than 12'... he looks like a little airplane and casts an immense shadow on the ground.

cheers!


Hey Lightning (my iPad wont let me spell your handle),

Eagles are pretty impressive aren't they? I lived about 150 meters from a huge nest and because of the $@!&#, it was close to eye level. The nest appeared to be about 10' in diameter with a graveyard of bones at the base of the tree. Watched them come and go for about 10 years.

Little airplanes indeed!

Peace,
Gridlok

(Hmmmm, the website won't let me call an incline a sl0pe!)


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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 8:58 pm
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Still there! Cool, I will have to drop down some evening this week.


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Post subject: Re: We have new tenants
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 9:04 pm
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Obviously the ducks want to raise their brood in a high class neighborhood, such as one that features music by Fender.

Can't wait to see the pics. Just love the little guys.

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