Sorry I didn't come back sooner, Helen. It would be illegal to trap the birds unless you could get the DNR to issue a permit and I haven't heard of that happening. I expect the birds would beat you back. It would be difficult to move them any way since they are flocking birds and a flock would be too difficult to catch and transport at one time. I expect using the pups to chase the birds could make the DNR unhappy. But it would depend on the situation. I would check with the authorities in advance and I know they would forbid it when the birds were nesting. I would be more concerned about injuries to the dogs than to the birds. If you have ever faced an angry duck or goose you know what I mean. Sandy

Kendra, the ducks are fairly shy and will leave the backyard if we go towards the pond. When the females starts to sit, she stays in the box, even if we mow the lawn right at the box, but if you open the door to her box, she will be off and not come back for several hours or more. We have two boxes, but a starling has scared them by sitting in the door to one of the boxes, so all three females that are laying are putting their eggs into one box. I think I have scared off the starling, but it will take awhile for them to try that box again. There was one egg in that box and I transferred it to the other box. Now we have twelve eggs in that box and none in the other box. We have put a camera in each box. So far the females have gone in and left before another enters the box but in past years we have seen some nasty fight when two females both get into the box at one time. Here is video taken in 2010--It was Fathers day. In this video you may see that one duck does not make it. He finally jumped after about 20 min. Mom was still waiting for him. Here is a link that might be useful: video 2010

Well the kids behaved while I was gone and everybody is still in there. We have lots more wing flapping going on , poor guys have to duck when someone goes to flapping, don't want to get a wing in the eye! There have been one or two that have finally decided to go see what may be out there. Nobody has been brave enough to stick their heads out , but maybe it's because whoever they are standing on is squacking get off get off! Two of them have also learned that there is no reason to push and shove to be at the front of the box when Joe Daddy comes with food....it's much simpler to hang out in back and jump on top of someone in front to get the bug! LOL. The parents are not trying to call them out yet so I expect they will go tomorrow. This time I am NOT getting up at 6:30. Last time I did and nobody was awake. Pop was up around 8 and Hussy Moma didnt even show up until sometime after nine. Boy it's going to be quiet when they are gone. :(

I am on my 3rd nesting I think. First one had four eggs, then the nest was abandoned. Didn't see the blues for awhile,then the eggs were on the ground. Not viable at all. 2nd nesting there were 4 eggs, two fledged, 2 died, one very small one and one normal size. 3rd nesting, 3 eggs, 3 hatched, 17 days old. Saw them at 12 days old. Havent checked since for fear premature fledging. Saw Mama this morning a couple of times at the box, saw her once this evening get an insect but didn't go to the box. Doesn't seem to be any activity around the box. Could be they have fledged. Haven't checked. I will wait a couple of more days to make sure. I don't know if I would know the difference between an adult and baby. Haven't seen any around today but one, I think it was the mother.