Just wanted to update this post: Our 9 ducklings are 55 days old. What an adventure this has been! We have had so much fun watching them grow, and my son has been journaling almost daily (had to sort of bribe him for that, but once he started, he kind of got into it - and someday I think his notes may be useful...) Sample entries: 5/11/11 Today the ducklings did a new morning exercise. This morning exersize was flapping their very tiny wings and running up the concrete by the pool. 5/17/11 I was watching the ducklings up close today and when I stood up, as usual the ducklings ran away except for one. That duckling fell on it's back and tried to get up. It couldn't because its legs and wings didn't help. So the duckling started peeping very loudly. Then it finally rolled over and ran away. 5/27/11 Today I got home from Outdoor Ed. I can see a big difference in the ducklings. When you look at one, you almost think you are looking at the mama since they're sooo big. ------------------------------- For the last several weeks, we've been treated to 2 daily water shows, one in mid-morning and one in mid-afternoon. During these shows, they all simultaneously go into rapid-swim mode where they actually walk on water, then switch to rapid-dive mode where they swim straight to the bottom of the pool and hover around down there for a 5-10 seconds before surfacing w/ a plop. To see all 9 do this at once is hysterical. They are practicing flying several times a day and it's so cute. They will flap their wings while sort of galloping along. Some are getting about an inch of air, but they have to really work for it. Mama still leaves a few times each day, and as always, they don't like it. They quack (and they're much louder than they used to be, unfortunately) when she's gone...but she always comes back within a few minutes of leaving. It has been, and is, a LOT of work. I don't ever want to do this again! That said, I'm not sorry they chose our home because it's been such a learning experience - I just don't want to go through it again. If I see any of them in our yard once this group has migrated, I will NOT encourage them to hang around (whereas before I just let them visit since it was always a short visit). I am reducing their food now, in an effort to have them forage more...which they are doing. I have almost no flowers left in my backyard and there is MUD where there never was before! We also haven't been able to use our pool since they were born, so we are really looking forward to their departure (as much as we will miss those daily shows). Once I know they can fly, I will not put food out for them, but for now, I feel the ducklings still need some since they can't fly. I'm hopeful though that if there is less and less, they will fly sooner. Does anyone have any experience with mallard ducklings learning to fly? I had thought they could fly between 50-60 days, but they don't look like they'll be taking off within the next few days, so mine may be here longer. I'm really ready for them to see the world though, so any advice is appreciated. A few pictures of the last 8 weeks: How they slept the first night: A family outing: They liked to hang out on the wall between the jacuzzi and cool dip: You can see how they're growing: Today, they're all the same size!

I agree with eibren. After our accidental duck came to live with us, I went right to the Net to find out about Avian Flu. I think it may be closer than we think it is. I for one am being extremely careful. After holding the ducks and chickens I wash my hands with hot water and soap and even put a tiny amount of bleach on my hands and work it up under my fingernails. It's well worth at least being aware of the problem and have ANY symptom that fits checked out immediately and NOT by the Quick Med place! It was close by and I didn't have the energy to drive into Boise to my regular guy. But it was him, my regular doctor, who knew what was wrong and treated me correctly. When I went to the doc (my hubby drove) and mentioned Avian Flu he had no idea what the heck I was talking about since it wasn't HERE yet. He'd heard of it... Anyway, I was okay after I had a liter and a half of saline and other goodies pumped into my arm. I was alarmingly dehydrated! I had no idea. I was just working along like I always do and then I was sick, sick, sick and having the most colorful waking dreams. (Hallucinations) When I began to tell my husband about the beautiful shapes and colors I was seeing...Well...We are 1960's CA Bay Area survivors! He knew right away that I was hallucinating. I thought it was very pleasant and I kind of hated to give it up! LOL So, seriously, everybody who works outside, please remember what I forgot to do: Drink LOTS of water.

You may just have acquired pets.

A bit late for the response, though I'd be curious to know what happened to her and the babies after the storm. My guess is that they would be OK. They may actually have enjoyed being out in the rain for a bit. If she lives in that area normally, she may be accustomed to those kinds of rains. Other than that, it sounds like you did everything to discourage her not to return to that nesting site.