A duck’s tale becomes a mystery
Advertisement
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/05/2023 (1030 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A few weeks ago, a mallard duck saw fit to not only build a nest under our Hydro meter but follow it up by laying eggs. It was a head-scratching discovery to be sure.
Because the nest was along the driveway, we changed the way we left home and returned, and a new pattern emerged with ‘a guest’ in residence. Mama Duck would always be on the nest during the day but would take great care to cover it up and fly away for a few hours each evening. Before leaving for the day I would peek from a good distance and offer her a ‘good morning’ and say ‘hello’ upon returning. During the day, when working outside, she was given a wide berth. And on it went.
Top of mind was what to do once the eggs hatched. I was terrified for the future of the ducklings. Henteleff Park, or any other water in the form of residential ‘lakes’, is far away, and a long walk for little legs. I was advised to leave it to Mother Nature, but if the trek to water was going to begin when I was home, I had every intention of following along to ensure safe passage across busy streets.
Dreamstime
A mallard duck built her nest under the Hydro meter of correspondent Sandy Nemeth. but she’s unsure what has become of the eggs.
This nest is not the only one on residential property this year – or any year, for that matter. Multiple social media posts are tracking journeys that reflect ours, including several in River Park South. The decided-on approach was consistent when I looked for guidance on what to do – steer clear, do not handle the eggs or disturb the nest, let Mama Duck do her thing, and hope for the best. I was unaware that mallard ducks are federally protected and moving the nest is illegal without a permit.
Regrettably, our story does not have a happy ending. As I type this the eggs are gone without a trace; an intact nest and no shell remnants, leaving nothing but a mystery. The likely scenario is a middle-of-the-night predator, but we will never know. Given the location of the nest it was impossible not to be walking by it regularly and perhaps Mama saw fit to move the eggs, which would have taken a herculean effort. In any case, the angst around the future of the ducklings has been replaced by a question that will never be answered.
Sandy Nemeth
River Park South community correspondent
Sandy Nemeth is a community correspondent for River Park South, chairperson of the Louis Riel School Division, a director at Dakota Community Centre and past-president of the Manitoba School Boards Association.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Sandy Nemeth
River Park South community correspondent
Sandy Nemeth is a community correspondent for River Park South, chairperson of the Louis Riel School Division, a director at Dakota Community Centre and past-president of the Manitoba School Boards Association.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Advertisement Advertise With Us