Cyn's Nature Notes: Roof Duck Antics

Saturday 26 April 2014

Roof Duck Antics

We haven't seen the roof ducks for the last couple of weeks, I assumed she was nesting somewhere and loathe to leave the area, however three days ago she and her mate returned. They were both extremely hungry and I expected after eating they would rush away, however they stayed, and stayed and were still here as it grew dark, when they flew up to their favoured place on the roof.

They must have lost their brood of eggs or their ducklings, probably to a fox or even a stoat. This does unfortunately happen as I noted some time ago (see: Fox Tales 16/06 2010).

This morning the female spent a long time on the back lawn, which is not unusual , but today she remained standing and staring up at the bird house, she moved from one area of the lawn to another several times, but always remained standing and with her eyes fixed on the bird house. Eventually she moved across the lawn until she was almost underneath, then stretching her neck she reached up on tiptoes and with a flap of her wings ascended and landed on the topmost ridge.

She spent the next hour and a half perched on the top ridge twisting and turning, looking up and down as if seeing life from a new perspective, eventually she settled on one leg swept her head under her wing and went to sleep. Her faithful mate settled himself in some long grass at the foot of the bird house and did likewise.

Twenty minutes ago she woke, untucked her foot, rested it down by the other and settled herself once again to visually explore the garden from her newly found perch.

Hunger must have prevailed, for a few minutes ago she flew down and made her way to the side kitchen window, her mate trotted obediently along behind her. Once fed they both flew up on to the bungalow roof.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.