I'm not sure who it was that started the Aussies. It may be who you say. I'll have to look up my info. I know at least one of the 'big shot' bantam duck breeders in PA, Oakes or Sheraw had a hand in it too. Then they went to Holderread, who has been pushing them. I agree with you, there could be a wild species when crossed with the mallard which produced a viable hybrid, or the off chance that a fertile hybrid was produced and used from a cross in which they would normally be sterile. Fertile mules as in horse/ass have been reported. My big question is that with all of this documentation on the origin of the breed, with originators and everything, why is it that no one has once offered to name the mysterious Australian species of wildfowl which was used in the cross? It is my opinion that the reason is that by perpetuating this mystique, it creates higher perceived value for the ducklings in some people who just gobble up the story without question, and want to own some of these new creations. As you see, I'm much more skeptical than you. I also have reservations because of the near impossibility to differentiate the females of the 3 varieties. There is enough confusion among people already regarding proper breed and variety designations, as you know with the African and Toulouse thing that's been going on now for over 100 years. All of the new call varieties, and even some recently recognized breeds such as Welsh Harlequins and Silver Appleyards have confusing colorations that most breeders and judges cannot even agree on. How is one expected to keep pure the different varieties of these Aussies when we can't even tell the females apart? There are differences, I know, but if given one female of each variety, I doubt that there are a dozen people who could tell which one is of which variety. The Anconas, oh boy. I'll tell you now, I'm probably about to insult you. I'll start off by saying that I do support the recognition of a randomly pied duck. I'm not big into pied animals of any species myself, but I believe that there is a place for them, and that they can add another dimention to domestic waterfowl breeding. I even support anyone who creates such a breed, and introduces it to the world for what it is. My big problem here, is the unfounded claims by the breed's originator, Holderread, who claims that they are of ancient English origin. Anyone who has had much experience with Magpie ducks knows that they are extremely difficult to breed with correct markings. Great numbers of offspring are mismarked, but a majority of them still retain a trace of the pattern, with colored feathers concentrated on the head cap and the back. Many, many of these so called Anconas also have the colored feathers concentrated in these areas. There is a close resemblance of Anconas to the many mismarked magpies which occur. As I said, I'd welcome the creation of such a new breed, even if derived from another, as long as it's done honestly. Holderread claims an ancient English origin, but he offers not one reference to the breed before he began offering them. I've done a fair amount of breed history research, and have collected a fairly good library of domestic waterfowl and poultry historical books, and have found not one mention anywhere of these so called Anconas. I've even offered $100 to anyone who could provide me with a written reference to the Ancona duck prior to Holderread. It is my opinion that the Ancona breed was made up, simply as a way to sell mismarked Magpie ducklings which would otherwise be worthless. Holderread has long since graduated from being a breeder with quality stock, to a hatchery business, hatching and selling as many birds as possible. It's a brilliant business move if you're a hatchery to find a way to profit from a formerly unsalable commodity, but where is the proof of these claims which are made? What's worse IMO, is that he's somehow convinced the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy of his claims, and they now pass along the same story. Ironically, neither one pays much attention to breeds such as the Dutch Hookbill, which does have an extensive written historical record, by many early poultry historians, and others, including none other than Charles Darwin himself. My opinion for the reason for that is that the Hookbills are very difficult to hatch, and so will never provide a hatchery owner with much of an income. End of pontification for now. Take it or leave it, but, please, try to prove me wrong. I'll even send you the 100 bucks.

Theresa- I thought that was a walkmaker path. I got the brick walkmaker stamps for the areas between my raised beds in my veggie garden. I'll probably get the stone one this year as I really like the look of a bed (esp. a cottage garden) that spills out onto the path. That hardscape element seems to give a sense of order to otherwise wonderfully chaotic cottage gardens. I haven't finished my project yet but I have a couple tips for anyone wanting to do something like this. First, put down weed barrier fabric between the ground surface and the rock substrate. Secondly, don't buy the concrete colorant they sell for it at the big box stores. If you look up concrete suppliers in your phone book, you'll find a few places where you can buy the integral color as well as a release agent in a different color so it gives it more depth and realism. It is also less expensive to buy it in bulk than the colorant from Home Depot and comes in many, many more choices.

I had 2 Great Danes and another large dog and those herons and egrets were not in the least bit scared they would fly from the trees right into the pool and the dogs were chasing around the pool and barking. None of my Great Danes have ever been swimmers in fact if they fall in they go straight down I nearly lost a couple of them because of that. If it were a water dog that would get in the pool that would probably deter them.

Thanks for the reply whwo. I went back to the box the next to day to clean it up. There were no unhatched eggs in there. Also, as I started cleaning it up, I found there was a ton of down in and under the top layer of wood shavings. That convinced me that it really was a good hatch. That and the fact that if it was predated, I would think there would have been a bunch of egg yolk and whites all dried up in the down and wood shavings but that wasn't the case. The stains inside the box have been there for a long time. Not sure what exactly caused them but like I said, several other birds/animals have used the box over the years. Next spring, I intend to be much more vigilant with the box. I also have to swap in more cedar shavings and get rid of most of the pine shavings. I understand that the pine saw dust is not good for baby wood ducks as it can suffocate them while they are covered in it. Here is a photo of the house as it sits on the tree.