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| Mr & Mrs Wood Duck on the Beach at Lake Mary |
Our wood ducks are back. In all the years we've lived here, I've rarely seen them because they are very early morning creatures and I've never taken the time to watch for them.
They say that the female can fly right into a nest box at full speed. I find it hard to believe that she doesn't break her little neck either by missing the round door or by slamming into the wall inside. But that's what they say...
This year I've decided that I want to see for myself so I've been stumbling out of bed at first light, grabbing my camera and heading for the porch where I have a perfect view of the nest box.
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| The Wood Duck Nest Box on our Cottonwood Tree |
According to The Wood Duck Society a hen will lay between 10 and 14 eggs. She will lay one egg per day until she has finished. She leaves the nest box after laying each daily egg and returns to sit on them after they're all there.
But at the last minute they left. Hmmmm. "What's that about." I thought. Then I noticed a couple of Mallards swimming in toward our beach and I figured that the Wood Ducks wanted a little "privacy".
Now, I've also just read that the worst place for a wood duck nest box is on a tree trunk. Squirrels and other predators might decide to claim the nest box or find the eggs and....well, I think you know where I'm going with that.
In any case, this is where our nest box is and there's not much we can do about it this year so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the entire laying/hatching process goes without a hitch.
Also, according to The Wood Duck Society, watching the little ducklings fling themselves out of the nest is an event not to be missed! There are guides on that website to help determine when "The Jump" might occur.
Here's a darling video showing that very thing...the little ducklings jumping to the ground! It's really wonderful.
I'll continue to try photographing them and if anything great comes of it, I'll post.
Wish me luck!
Where are you supposed to put the nest box?
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to witness the jump!
ReplyDeleteMami, you're supposed to put them on a pole with a guard around the pole underneath the nest box to keep critters from climbing up. But lots of people who live around us just put them on the trees.
ReplyDeleteRamona, I hope we get to witness it, too. I want Jack to put a ladder up to see if there are eggs in there.
Love a good Duck Watch! Keep us informed!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I hope you can keep rising early to observe all the excitement and then share it with those of us who like to sleep in. :)
ReplyDeleteHow sweet and wonderful this is! Little things just seem to spring from the nest as though ejected into life. I love how she went down herself midway through and then walks away with them, once she knows they all arrived on the ground safely.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like my kind of show. Hope you get to see the duckling departures. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteNice photos of the pretty wood ducks! The video of the ducklings leaving the nest was really special. I hope you get to see your ducklings.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they nest so high! Who'dathunk it?
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to witness them leaving the nest.
(And how nice to hear that you're up early every morning! That's the best part of the day, as far as I'm concerned.)
Lovely Wood Ducks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty, I will. I have no idea how much longer they'll be here, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteLinda, if I don't see any action in the next few days, I might just shelve the whole project! Patience is not one of my virtues.
I know, Teresa! I loved that video...they're just so danged cute!
Thank you, Michael, and thanks for stopping by. I've got to get over to Badelynge to visit you...have a question for you.
Hi Janie...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to witness the "jump"!
I agree with you, Bag Lady...I'm a morning person, too. I know what you mean about the height of the nest boxes! But that's how the little critters want them so....
Thank you, Lady Fi! I know you're a nature lover, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun thing to focus on. I've been so out of focus lately.
ReplyDeleteHi Betty! I love a good duck watch, too...yes, I'll keep you posted. Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteLinda, thanks! I'll do my best to hang in there!
Hi Jan....I know what you mean about being out of focus. I don't know what my problem is but I'd better snap out of it! As usual I'm rushing so have been lax in my blog visiting. And I miss it. Must get myself organized.