62 wood ducks

13 years ago

Well with the batch that jumped today, we have had 62 babies jump into our back yard pond and we still have one batch to go at the end of this month (she is sitting on 20 + eggs)

Last year I had a bunch jump on Mother's Day and this year they Jumped on Father's Day.

Hubby has it set up (with a added camera (his father's day gift) so that you can see them climb, jump and swim away.

What a fun morning we had.

http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c311/maidenstauffer/?action=view&current=WoodDuck-6_3Cam.mp4

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Comments (18)

dzyg
13 years ago
How cool! Your link didn't work to watch though. Would love to see that.
Konrad___far_north
13 years ago
This was absolutely wonderful!....thanks for sharing!
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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.
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dzyg
13 years ago
Konrad, you got to watch it?? When I copy and paste the link it goes to a photobucket page and says the action has failed. Hmmmm
kendra2003
13 years ago
Oh my, that was so incredible. I love that you have it set up so you can see the the inside and outside views at the same time. That was just so fun to watch! Thanks so much for sharing that amazing video.
jem199
13 years ago
that was incredible. Try the link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Wood Duck Video
ginni77
13 years ago
How great!! That was the best 10 minutes I've spent all day!! Did the last baby make it out?? What a wonderful video. Thanks for sharing it with us!
dzyg
13 years ago
That was so cool!! Thanks jem199 for the direct link. Did the last one get out? Thanks for sharing!

Donna
Connie Kru
Original Author
13 years ago
http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c311/maidenstauffer/?action=view&current=WoodDuck-6_3Cam_Part2.mp4

I am sorry that photo bucket cuts off the last of the video. I did not realize this until yesterday, if it is longer than 10 min. they cut it off, so here is the rest of the video

I always promise any one viewing that I will raise any baby left, so far I have not had to do that, but on one occasion it took the last one over 20 min. to make it out

glad you enjoyed it, I know we did, but then we have been waiting for over 30 days.

Here is a link that might be useful: Did he make it??
jem199
13 years ago
Yay! He made it. I was worried about him lol. Love how the family waited patiently. That was amazing. Thanks for sharing.
ginni77
13 years ago
Oh, I'm so relieved!!! Thanks for part two! :)
terrene
13 years ago
The link worked for me the first time. What a terrific video! Love the multiple angles. That's amazing those little ducklings can climb up out of the box. It looks like they have little toes or something.

Your pond must be a very attractive habitat for the ducks. How big is the pond and what other birds do you see there?
terrene
13 years ago
The link worked for me the first time. What a terrific video! Love the multiple angles. It looks like you and your H have had lots of fun with the cameras.

That's amazing those little ducklings can climb up out of the box. It looks like they have little toes or something.

Your pond must be a very attractive habitat for the ducks. How big is the pond and what other birds do you see there?
terrene
13 years ago
Sorry for double post!
russ2009
13 years ago
Thanks Connie for the video. I love ducks.
I have watched it serveral times. The video worked for me the first time I tried it.
Wish I had a pond like that in my back yard.
Russ
Connie Kru
Original Author
13 years ago
The pond is less than a 1/2 acre. We get wood ducks, and last week we had a Common Merganser visit, but she did not stay (they also use the wooden boxes for nesting). We have a mallard pair that visit and a Kingfisher comes for dinner once in awhile.
We also have about 50 wild turkeys that visit everyday. They drink from the pond.
Pond are lots of work because so much growth that grows in them has to be removed, but we enjoy it alot.
We also have bat that circle it at night. More last year than this year, but maybe they will show up later in the summer.
Konrad___far_north
13 years ago
Thanks again Connie for the rest..I was relieved the last one got out,
some day I might get them too,....been heaving the house up for
many years but no luck, I'm increasing the pond, then I will move the
house closer to water,...ponds are sooo interesting but not too many people
have the luxury to have, who ever that is, perhaps can adopt a pond or lake and put up a box.
Your bats look cool!
Konrad
Connie Kru
Original Author
13 years ago
I am happy to share this video. Makes it just that much more fun.
We have a water well that is artisan and flows into our pond. rather than the ditch in front of the house like so many others on our road do.
We also have a screech owl that uses the w. duck box in the winter, so it get double use
neverenoughflowers
13 years ago
Thank you so much for the great videos. I'm so glad the last guy made it out. I also love the little bats, we put up a bat house but so far only one has moved in. We hope more find it.
Thanks again.