new nest

[birdstitcher]

I came home yesterday to 2 large eggs in my cranesbill on my terrace. In the afternoon there were 3. No sign of a bird. Duck or goose?

My unknown egg layer has been identified! I have a mama mallard. She arrived this morning and is presumably laying egg number 4. I think it would be fun to have a duck family on my terrace. Buy an inflatable pool for them to swim in, get lots of pictures as they grow. Only problem, my terrace is 9 floors up. She must like the view of the city! I have already called the Toronto Wildlife Centre for advice.

Best backyard bird for me. Normally only see house sparrows. Or Canada geese when they tried to nest as well.

Kerri

[Al Johnston]

Very interesting situation but it could be a problem when the young leave the nest as they won't have their flight feathers and 9 floors is a long way down --- ouch!

Al

[birdstitcher]

Yes, that is why I called Toronto Wildlife Centre, to find out what to do. I am just waiting for their reply.

She has laid them in my trench garden on the outer wall of my terrace. There is a terrace below mine, so they will not drop the whole 9 stories, but, they have a dog. I am hoping that if I must wait until they are hatched before moving, they land on my terrace. Then we can figure out what to do from there...maybe a ducks on parade through the condo and then out to the lake!

And I now have 4 eggs! She was here for a couple of hours and has left. I wonder how many more she will lay? From reading, they can lay up to 13! She is so quiet! I did not even hear her fly in, just looked out and saw her staring at me through the window. When the Canada geese try to build a nest (last 3 years now), I have to contend with 2 aggressive birds. Ended up covering the garden with chicken wire, which was not to their liking and they left. I was certainly not expecting to come home from a weekend away to find eggs!

Kerri

[angieinto]

Holy Moly!! What a predicament! I will watch this thread with interest.  

[birdstitcher]

Egg number 5 yesterday! She arrived around 10am and left by 130-2pm.

The Toronto Wildlife Centre said there was nothing that can be done until the eggs start to hatch. Then, I am to call them and we will figure out what to do then. So I will have my ducky friend at least until the later part of July.

Kerri

[MEGHAN]

You could always do what this guy did

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... d=92709209

I don't recommend trying to catch them from a 9 story drop  :wink: , but you could collect them in a box, take the elevator down with them, meet the mother on the ground, who will be looking for them.She'll be down there trying to encourage them to join her. open the box and let her see them, then walk them to the nearest pond.
Shouldn't take very long at all.
My suggestion.

Meghan

[birdstitcher]

I think mama mallard may be incubating her eggs. I do not know when she arrived today but she is still here now at 945pm. She has never stayed this late before. And if she laid an egg today there will be 7 ducklings.

Will keep you all posted as events unfold.

Kerri

Oh! I just saw her fly away at 10pm. Writing my post and watching CSI NY :oops: So maybe there will be more eggs to come!

K

[birdstitcher]

Thought people would be interested in an update on my ducky situation.

Mama mallard has been sitting on her eggs almost 24/7 since Monday. I know there are 8 eggs for sure. The nest is now well covered in down. I check on her in the morning and late afternoon, more so that she gets used to me and that I am not seen as a threat. I will hopefully be helping in the removal of the ducklings from my terrace to a safer ground level locale.

I would post a photo of her sitting on her nest, but, she is hard to see amidst all the cranesbill.

Happy Canada Day!

Kerri

[angieinto]

Thanks for the update.  

[birdstitcher]

I came home from work this morning to find 2 ducklings sitting by mama duck!!! They are absolutely adorable!!! There are 6 more eggs. I have called the Toronto Wildlife Centre as they asked that I do once the hatching begins. I can't wait to see them all off to a safer place with water and food access.  The ninth floor is not a good place to be. But, they are sooo cute!!!

Kerri

[thouc]

I think they actually would survive the leap to the ground, crossing the roads might be more of a danger. Many ducks are nesting high up.

Here's an example of Wood Ducks leaping from their tree nest to the ground: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkBSkFyUyv0

The landing is a bit softer than asphalt there though.

[birdstitcher]

I was told that they would be ok with a two story drop when I first called the Centre a month ago.

I have been asked to fill a lasagna pan with water and grass clippings so they have food and water. Since she is still sitting on the nest, the Centre cannot remove them to another location. I am to call tomorrow and update the Wildlife Centre.

There are 4 little fluffy ducklings now.

I am so happy that I am able to experience this. We are going out of town tomorrow for a few days and I was afraid I would miss all the fun and excitement. An Ironman does not put his triathlon race off for hatching ducklings!

Kerri

[birdstitcher]

Hi All,

I just wanted to let you know that my mallard duck mama and her 5 ducklings were removed from my terrace on Thursday last week. The Toronto Wildlife Centre came out in the morning and were able to release everybody successfully along the Humber River at the boat ramp on the S. Kingsway.

The Toronto Wildlife Centre are an amazing bunch of people! All my interactions with them were informative, professional, kind and you could sense the great caring they have for Toronto's urban wildlife. I am told that mama duck may come back next year. In one way I do not mind, as it sure was a fun experience. And I would rather her than a pair of Canada geese. Guess I will just have to see what next spring brings...

I have finally had the time to watch the wood duck video...awesome. Thanks for sharing!

Kerri

[MEGHAN]

Thanks for the update.
I'm glad it was a happy ending and at least now you have your balcony back!

Meghan

[angieinto]

Great ending to a lovely story, wonder if there will be a part 2?  :lol: