Mama Duck and Ducklings

This morning around 8:00 I helped a white mama duck and her ducklings cross Broadlands Blvd near the intersection with Claiborne. They were headed toward Shady Wood Terrace. I was just wondering if anyone saw them afterwards.

 

Where was she trying to take them? To a pond? How many ducklings?

 

Good for you for helping! I see the white mama around all the time.. I'm glad to see she has little ones. I hope she finds a nice spot to keep them safe.

 

I'm not sure where she was going. I assume a pond, but none are around there that I know of. She headed into the wooded area between the townhouses and Claiborne. I had to move my car once she was across b/c I was blocking traffic. I lost sight of her after that. I'd say there were maybe 3 or 4 yellow ducklings and one black one.

 

I hope the little ducklings do not become victims of the numerous stray and feral cats!

 

It's possible that was "Lefty"* a white, peking duck, that hangs out at Bullfrog Fishing Pond. She's been around the past two days with one yellow duckling (we named it "Snack").

Unfortunately, many of the ducklings on the pond don't make it to maturity. If the cats don't get them, then the snapping turtles in the pond do. Or the hawks.

Last year Lefty raised one duckling, Gizmo, and Marsha (a brown duck) raised another, Hoover, until they could fly. Both Lefty and Marsha are back this year, but Snack is the only duckling we've spotted so far.

*You can identify Lefty by her left foot, which is missing one toe.

 

Where is the Bullfrog Fishing Pond? I'd love to go have a look.

 

Behind Hidden Pond Place and Small Branch Place.

Right here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?gfns=1&...code_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA

 

If you zoom in on the map you can see the dock off of Small Branch. There is a path between the last two homes before the cul-de-sac that leads right to the dock. My boys love to fish there(catch and release of course).

 

Cool, thanks!