Warm Memories of a "Fowl" Momma's Plight
I came across the following photos and thought I'd post them on our website. Looking at them again,
they bring back bittersweet memories of my short-lived home at the Voorhees Condo. The photos are attached
to memories of a certain momma duck – in this case Mallard - who decided to nest right on my small front porch.
It was no surprise on any given day to sit upon the porch and watch a continual parade of ducks pass by.
A small tributary from a nearby lake ran directly behind my complex. It was – however - a surprise on one chilly
April morning, to find a duck sitting inches beside my chair, failing to move as I drew near her. As I sat close,
I noticed that she was nestled in a cushion of feathers, leaves, and sticks, and realized that she was nesting.
She did not budge for the next few days, and every so often other ducks would come around to taunt or rile her.
Every time she’d wander off to find a little sustenance, the various neighborhood cats and ducks would try to
invade her nest. Though I worried about tampering with nature, I began to bring out birdseed and place it near her.
After a few days she became accustomed to the feeding, and I just hoped that the “bad” of breaking the laws of nature
would be overruled by the “good” in helping her maintain the safety of her nesting brood. Several days later I awoke
early one morning to very loud, shrill sounds; like a poorly but enthusiastically played trumpet. I ran outside
to find "the bully," as I called him; the very large white Chinese Goose, chasing a horde of mallard ducks from
outside of my door. One of momma’s nesting eggs was loose in the alley near the chaos. It appeared that the nest was
raided and one of the eggs had been lifted. The frenzied gaggle was fighting over the prize, and it looked like
“the bully” was about to win. With the mother duck nowhere in sight, I ran outside with a broom to shoe them away,
and the huge Chinese Goose advanced – wings opened wide – toward me. This was one big bird - and not so innocent and
sweet as the Sesame Street variety! I've never this variety of white goose quite so large.
A stock photo of White Chinese Goose.
”The Bully” was much larger, but I have no photos.
The White Chinese Goose is distinguishable by the
knot above the orange beak
Standing my ground, the goose finally took his leave, and I returned the egg back to the abandoned nest. The other
eggs had been left uncovered - feathers strewn in every direction. Hoping that mother duck would return and not spurn
my help, I covered the eggs (there were then nine in total) with the feathers and brush that had been removed. Later
that morning I was relieved to look out and find that momma had returned to her nest. The next three weeks continued
with momma duck accepting my feedings and "big bully" et al attempting to raid the nest. Mother's day had come and gone,
and I was anxious to see the eggs hatch. Finally, one spring morning while sitting no more than two feet from the nest
sipping my coffee, I noticed two little eyes peering out from beneath her.
Look closely, and you will see five pairs of
little eyes peering from beneath momma’s breast.
Average incubation for eggs is 28 days.
Within the next day, eight of the nine eggs had hatched. It was a humbling and glorious thing to watch, and at a time
when my spirits had been very low. It put things back into perspective, and I - in a very small way -
felt somehow part of the process. Just a few days after they'd hatched, momma was taking her chicks out for
frequent strolls around the grounds; always returning to my porch - where her chicks seemed to become familiar with me.
Morning stroll with Mom.
Many mornings I’d find one or two of them pecking on the window of my sliding doors. They may have been anticipating my
morning ritual, whereby I’d accidentally/on purpose drop a few crumbs of my cereal onto the ground. One day I was saddened
to find that one chick was missing, and never did return. As time progressed I’d see them less and less. Momma would take
her chicks for swimming lessons; first in mud puddles formed by the leaky pipe outside the complex, then in the shallow creek
behind our building.
First swimming lesson in a mud puddle.
Their outings would take them away for longer and longer periods of time. Too soon came a bittersweet day when I realized that
they would not be returning; grateful for the privilege of being witness to the miracle, sad for mere memories to make me smile.
This miracle took place at a time when I felt so lonely and detached from all I'd known and loved. That is why - though this event
may seem nothing more than an everyday occurrence to most - I remember it with a unique fondness.
My little piece of heaven, place of
the “little miracle.”
Some brief facts about Mallard Ducks
Nesting Area: throughout Northern Hemisphere where climatic conditions are not too severe.
Wintering Area: Almost to the Tropic of Cancer and in Africa as far south as South Africa.
Nest Site: Weeded areas; nest concealed beneath undergrowth, usually near water; not guarded by male.
Initial Nest: April until June.
Clutch Size: 10 to 12 buffish-green eggs.
Incubation: Approximately 28 days