What have YOU seen?

Hey, all of you Stearns Mill Pond denizens and users, what have YOU seen on the pond or brook? Contribute your info - what great sightings, what birds, what animals, what sad things, what changes (good and bad), what wonderful moments have there been? Let's share what we know and love about our pond.
Live on the pond or brook? Become an author on this blog; send me a message and I will add you to the official author list. Or, if you prefer, just click on the word "Comments" at the bottom of the entry to get a comment box up so you can add your sightings and thoughts. Email me pictures from our pond to post - I will credit them to you.
Click on the picture to see it in a larger format (all photos by D.Muffitt unless otherwise credited)

Friday, April 25, 2014

REQUIEM FOR A WOOD DUCK FAMILY

Sad update on our wood ducks:  last time I had a picture of papa sitting near the nest box and guarding.  This morning when I looked out, the box was askew and it looked like the bottom was hanging down.  I feared the worst and unfortunately was correct; the nest had been predated.  Not sure of the predator as we have several around.  We're thinking coon or fisher rather than snake or rodent because the box had the bottom knocked out and was crooked on the tree, so it was probably something heavy. 

We counted 6 identifiable egg shells (there were likely more than that) in the leaves or in the down that the female had pulled from her breast to keep the eggs warm.
Wood Duck egg, just to right and above of center

 We wonder if that was what Blake was barking about this morning...
May they find a new hole and have better luck in a second nesting.
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