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Just Dahlia · May 25, 2010, 05:35 PM

I heard a really big splash at dusk last night and went to the window to see a very beautiful duck in my pool. It looked like something was in his mouth (I can't see really good and it was dusk) it turned out to be a female duck under him. It seemed like he kept pushing her under the water and then letting her come back up until he was done. My questions are...

1. Did he mount her in the air and them dive into the pool or was she already in the pool and he jumped on her? They have been here before and I have never heard that big of a splash.

2. I understand that she might have the eggs in 28 days (per net) will she try to have them in my back yard? I'm thinking 'no' because we have dogs and they have chased and barked at them before (but won't enter the pool, even though they supposedly are water dogs) I'm worried about the babies, if they get in the pool... they would be too small to get out and I have nothing for a ramp.

Plus the poop:eek:

jmjoseph · May 25, 2010, 06:12 PM

I think that the mood was right, the pool was there, and he took advantage of the romantic sunset.

They nest and lay eggs in a safe place. I'd bet they nest elsewhere, because of your dogs.

Stringer · May 25, 2010, 08:24 PM

Off subject a bit but we found a duck nest in our rose bushes right outside our sliding door to the patio in the mulch beside the house. Eight eggs and she sits on them at night.

Stringer

Just Dahlia · May 25, 2010, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by jmjoseph

I think that the mood was right, the pool was there, and he took advantage of the romantic sunset.

They nest and lay eggs in a safe place. I'd bet they nest elsewhere, because of your dogs.

BUT... did it happen in the sky first? Or shall I say 'she was a sitting duck' in the pool?

Wondergirl · May 25, 2010, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by jmjoseph

They nest and lay eggs in a safe place.

"Safe place" as in beneath the big bush next to the front door of a busy library? After the babies had hatched and were following their mom around (in the busy parking lot), the library director scooped up the ducklings in her skirt and waddled with the mother over to a nearby public pond.

***ADDED*** Wish someone had taken pictures or a video of that. Was one of The Great Moments in my 25 years of working there.

Just Dahlia · May 25, 2010, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Stringer

Off subject a bit but we found a duck nest in our rose bushes right outside our sliding door to the patio in the mulch beside the house. Eight eggs and she sits on them at night.

Stringer

Do you have dogs? To scare them away? If you do, I have never seen one on the dog thread. Wait.. I think I remember that Marta or some one is allergic. Is there water near you? You're too far away from the Chicago river. Lake maybe? There are so many lakes around there. Pool? Pond?
Why in your rose bush:confused: and only at night? Who guards them during the day?

Just Dahlia · May 25, 2010, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

"Safe place" as in beneath the big bush next to the front door of a busy library? After the babies had hatched and were following their mom around (in the busy parking lot), the library director scooped up the ducklings in her skirt and waddled with the mother over to a nearby public pond.

So.. it's not like rabbits, where you can't touch them for fear the mother will abandon them?
Did my Aunt lie to me to save the baby rabbits from my pets:eek:

Wondergirl · May 25, 2010, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Just Dahlia

So.. it's not like rabbits, where you can't touch them for fear the mother will abandon them??

The director had told the mother duck what she was going to do, picked up the ducklings and put them in the "hammock" formed out of her full skirt, kept talking to the mother duck who heard the babies peeping, so just waddled alongside for about a block until they all got to the pond. The director should have gone on Oprah. (I think the director's talking the mother duck through it is what helped the most. Wow! The director could have become a duck whisperer! I just thought of that!)

Alty · May 26, 2010, 08:53 AM

Dahlia, my kids school has a little outdoor area in the middle of the building. It's surrounded by offices, so it's closed in, but no roof. They plant flowers, have a little pond, it's really nice and a decent size.

For the last 4 years a mother duck has made it her nesting grounds. She comes back every year, lays her eggs, has her babies and then once they're big enough one of the teachers takes momma and babies to their acreage. She then stays around there for a while until babies fly off, but she still returns to the school the next year to once again raise her little family.

It's a wonderful experience for the kids and a great place for momma duck and ducklings because no predators can get in. Only down side is that no one gets to use the area while she's there, because they don't want to disturb her. They do leave food for her and her babies, but only do that when momma is out getting food.

My guess, your duck probably won't lay her eggs near you, but really, I don't know a lot about ducks. Now, if you had bunnies, I could help. :)

Just Dahlia · May 27, 2010, 02:43 PM

They came back:eek: Bingo ran out after the storm and didn't even see them. I quietly called her back to me and picked her up to show her what she missed. They looked so cute, she gave out a little "woof" and then the female pooped in my pool and I called Coogle and let Bingo down.

Just Dahlia · May 27, 2010, 05:26 PM

Oh the poor duckies:(I just went in the front yard to pull the garbage cans back to the back) and they were hanging out in the front, looking around 'like what do we do now' they didn't run or fly away, just scooted out of my way.:confused:

Maybe they are planning on leaving baby's in the front yard:eek: No dogs, but plenty of stray cats.