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[Donnadoobie]

Normally my garden is loud and noisy, with children running around and playing but in the lockdown, when we were closed, it became a peaceful haven.

A few weeks ago, I was woken by what I thought sounded like a duck quacking, I got up to look as we live about a mile and a half  from our nearest duck pond.  On the roof of my extension was a female Mallard.  The next day, the same noise and there were a male and female on the roof.  Then nothing.

Last week, we were putting some things into our new shed ( an arty crafty shed for the kids) and my husband spotted something, he told me to move away as he thought he had found a dead duck but it turned out to be a mummy duck sitting on a nest that she had made from an old tin bathtub, that had a few old plants and weeds in it.

Now, to make matters worse, I have had a bad bird phobia all my life, now I have a duck sitting on about 7 eggs in my back garden.  Does anyone know anything about this kind of thing?  I have looked online and it says the mum will toddle her ducklings off to her chosen water place ( have no idea where that could be) within a day of hatching.  Do they come back to the nest?  We live on a country lane but it has a few cars up and down each day, plus the drains!  in the neighbouring village they are always falling into the drains.

having a bit of a wobble about sharing my garden with about 7 or 8 ducks, plus the children are back again now that we are open.

anyone offer any advice?

[CLKD]

Leave well alone.  She will hatch and move the brood to water - is she able to lead them from your garden as she will probably have flown in.  If not you need to put a gap in the fence for her to use: they don't return to the nest due to avoiding predators.  You may find she nudges the shells over the nest edge which will tell you that the eggs have hatched.  Ducklings often have to jump from high places too and may tumble a bit but like babies, they are quite hardy.  Instinctively they know where water is, as they can probably smell it.  Don't disturb her, it is against the Law.

Do ring your local Nature Group 2morrow who will arrange for the ducklings/duck to be moved once hatched if you can't accommodate a gap.  Your husband can keep a close eye and knowing that someone is able to help ....... if they can't provide someone then ring your local poultry/duck sales farm - found on-line or in Small Holding magazine. 

How many children are back?  Interesting for them if it's fine enough to watch.  You are privileged.

Is it feathers you hate or birds in general.  I have a friend who can't have a roasted chicken on the table near her as she has a feather phobia but she does take her boat on the river.  I know how phobias can take over Life completely ......... it's not easy to try and avoid triggers. 

Many years ago I was travelling along a busy dual carriageway and in my rear view mirror could see proud mummy duck leading her children across .......... she got knocked and didn't survive so I doubled back, pulled up where I had seen them running.  They had taken cover down a bank, a man not known to me and I put the 9 bundles into a cardboard box that I happened to have in my boot.  I took them to a rescue centre and they all survived :-))). 

If I lived close I'd be there !

[Donnadoobie]

I know most people would be so happy having a duck nest.  Just me and my phobia.  I hate the flapping, the feathers, the eyes and the beaks, the fluttering noise makes me cringe.  Ha ha and I live in the country where our garden is visited by so many different birds.

The children came back on Monday.  we have started with only 4 and no school children.  we normally have up to 6 little ones and around 10-12 older ones, so it is very quiet.  we have been so lucky with the  weather, we have spent so much time outside.  so much cleaning!  Milton for toys, disinfectant via a fence sprayer for outdoors and our playroom and carpets, masks for nappy changes, Temperature checks, shoe sanitising, clothes changes but other than that business as normal, you cannot socially distance a 2 year old.  Next week we will have two more and then possibly another in a few weeks and the others have said they will wait until September, when hopefully we can start school runs again.  going very cautiously.  Still feels too soon.

Thanks for the info about the duck CLKD.  If we open our back gate they can get out.  No idea where the water is.  My husband has got a 'duck cam? on it.  I will let you know when they have hatched!

[CLKD]

We have a night cam which is really useful :-).

If DH is happy to deal leave it to him, Knight on White Charger and all that 

You are doing fine with the kids!  They need security and familiarity .......... temps being taken?

[Donnadoobie]

Temperatures checks on arrival and after lunch.  From past experience, I don't trust the parents to send them when unwell, happens all the time and I am sure some will try to mask it by dosing up with paracetamol or ibuprofen before coming.  I think the threat of us having to close for up to 14 days if any child has symptoms may make them think twice.   although they say that under 5's can have a test if they attend daycare, I don't trust that idea too much.

[CLKD]

Lots of hot soapy water several times a day - Milton or meths on the toys once the go home.  Let it air dry.  As long as the parents/children aren't carriers, after all many Schools have provided class room space throughout lockdown.

How's the duck this morning, any sign of the Drake?

[Donnadoobie]

No sign of a drake and Mummy duck still sitting.  we think there are about 7

[Penguin99]

I'm so jealous, we haven't had any birds nest for a few years ( since building houses behind me ). I know you don't like birds, but I'd be over the moon if they nested in my garden, not a chance with my JR. I remember when we moved in here, 7 years ago, 2 housemartins flew into my kitchen & back out, twice, then flew in my dining room, my Jack Russell didn't know what was going on I was watching 2 crows chase a red kite yesterday, obviously he'd got too close to their nest. I love nature.

[CLKD]

Phobias are life changing, draining and mine was 24/7 even dreaming about people being sea sick 

7 is a good number ;-)

[Penguin99]

I have a phobia regarding spiders, but my son has 2 tarantulas  I cant look at them, he has come down with a moult before and I've had a fit. I do sympathise with Dd, doing far better than me if I had a phobia of birds. Some people would be jealous my son has 2 tarantulas, I couldn't think of having anything worse.  They make my skin crawl, I've told my son if they get out they are going up the dyson! If they'll fit

[CLKD]

OH! I think it's cruel to keep spiders as pets.  They might not move much in the wild but at least they have choice: at least the ones that live in our house seem to  ..... right now there's one under the wash basin cupboard and you bet she comes out when I'm on the loo 

[CLKD]

Have they hatched yet?

How's your week been over-all?

[Donnadoobie]

busy week, feel so tired.  The weather has not helped! 


No news on the ducklings, she is still sitting in the nest.  My guess is it will in the next 5-10 days.

[CLKD]

Someone has hatched ducklings from a carton of eggs from Waitrose 

[CLKD]

Any news