At 11:20 AM Friday morning the above ALARM went off..
LOUD WILD BARKING! at the sliding glass door.
MOM! MOM! there is Aix sponsa in the pool .. no kidding.. there is..
And there they were, Mama Wood Duck and 6 tiny babies.
OH NO! I screamed.. Jake will eat them..
NOTE: I did not know what they were, emailed TexWisGirl and she told me.
See her Wood Duck post that was on the same day our family came to visit.
Click on More Wood Ducks
There was a problem. The babies could not get out. Mama would jump out and they would struggle to follow, Mama back in and back out, and we watched them struggle. the water was to low in the pool, it was a 12 inch jump for a tiny baby.
Bob swam around and scooped them out and she attacked him, then flew to the pool deck and flopped all over the yard like her wing was broken trying to get him away.
Bob swam around and scooped them out and she attacked him, then flew to the pool deck and flopped all over the yard like her wing was broken trying to get him away.
She ran off in the Palmetto bush and 4 followed her.
the other 2 kept getting back in the pool. We waited for an hour, she did not come back.
Bob caught the 2 babies 3 times and put them out and right back in they went.
we searched all over for the family, they were gone.
4th time we put them in a box, and we let the dogs out and they verified she was gone taking 4 with her.
we searched all over for the family, they were gone.
4th time we put them in a box, and we let the dogs out and they verified she was gone taking 4 with her.
I called Wildlife Rescue and they said Wood ducks will not come back for their young.
She lost 5 of her babies, 3 to traffic on our street and we took the 2 babies to the drop off at Bayshore Animal hospital for Wildlife to pick up.
She lost 5 of her babies, 3 to traffic on our street and we took the 2 babies to the drop off at Bayshore Animal hospital for Wildlife to pick up.
We hope she and the other 4 will live a long and happy life and fly out to visit TexWisGirl at her bird preserve... I did have the fun viewing of Bob swimming around the pool grabbing at diving ducks
34 comments:
Well, that was a BIG mistake for the wood duck to visit your neighbourhood! I'm glad Wildlife Rescue will take the two that Bob saved.
You had me laughing until I got to the end. I was going to say if this happens again, video it. Now I just want to say I hope those two little ducklings have a good life too. Sob!!
Best,
Bonnie
Awww - poor little things! So glad there was a place to take them too though. Hopefully all of them will have a very happy life!
xo Catherine
I hope they all will be ok. Thanks to you both for all you did to help.
They are such cute little ones. Glad you were able to help.
Well, I am still grinning thinking of Bob to the rescue...but I do hope they live.
awww. yup, i had a couple of wood duck hens this morning on the pond. i'm sure yours would be welcome... good job with the rescue.
Oh my gosh it's wonderful to animal watch and to help animals like that - but sad they won't come back for their young and that some got killed in the street.
i LOVE YOUR ALARM SYSTEM 1-800-JAKE!! DID SHE FLY OVER YOUR FENCE...MY WORD SHE WON'T COME BACK FOR THE WEE ONES...BAD MOM. I'M SO GLAD YOU FOUND A PLACE FOR THEM TO FINISH GROWING UP!!
GREAT PHOTOS!!!
HUGS CECILIA
PS WHERE ARE THE PICTURES OF LIFEGUARD BOB? LOLOLOLOL
That was an exciting adventure just steps from your back door. Great pix. At least there is the promise of a happy ending for mom and some of her babies thanks to you and Bob.
Beside the point, but I had never gotten a baby duck's eye view of the beautiful tile in your pool before. It is lovely. Now I am off to explore your wood duck links.
What a lot of drama in the pool! Too bad you didn't get a video of Bob to the rescue, but I know that was the last thing on your mind.
Who could believe such little cuties might cause so much trouble :)
OUTSTANDING rescue efforts, Sandra...you and Bob...great job!...:)JP
Your alarm system Jake is wonderful ! I'm glad that you were able to rescue these little ducks !
It could only happen to you Sandra.
Your getting everything now. The raccoon's, bananas now ducks and her babes. I hate to think what else is going to land in your tree, pool, roof.
Oh My.
You sure your hubby is not having that human smell that attracts all species to your home. I know the mosquitoes, black flies love my human smell. Big time.
I am just waiting for you to write. Oh everyone look what dropped in to eat Bananas.
MONKEYS escaped from the zoo.
Hugs friend.
Did the wee ducklings finally get out of the pool or did you have to rescue them?
Oh my GOSH, what a story! I wonder why the others did not want to leave the pool? Now they are separated from their family for good. I guess the wildlife hospital will keep them till they can fend for themselves. Give Bob a big kiss for me, he is my duck hero! I loved the pictures to go along with the story. Let us know if you ever see the family again, they may hang around.
I enjoyed seeing your ducks but I would have LOVED seeing your Bob swimming around and scooping them out!!!! Never a dull moment around your place!
Sandra,
What an awesome story and great pics! I never knew this about Wood Duck mothers but there is much I don't know about birds. What a valiant effort by Bob!
Ducks in distress!
Lifeguard Bob to the rescue!
It is sad some of the babies didn't make it but I'm glad Wildlife Rescue is picking up the other two.
Good Girl, Baby!!! Oh Sandra! I can see why you were thinking of me. :) I love these pics, they're beautiful!!! You and Bob have good hearts! Love this post just like you said I would!!!
There is always so much excitement around your house. I appreciate the effort you and Bob made to rescue the baby ducks. I hope they (and the other four) make it.
Hi Sandra, Have been here but will explain later......Sounds like you had quite a few hours of chaos! I feel bad that the mama abandoned the two babies but such is nature. Guess you have a good alarm in Jake. I think that is a good thing these days!
Wow that is some drame, cute ducks and I really hope that the all will make it.
Wow! You had some excitement at your house. The ducklings are cute but sound a bit stupid too. Sad about her babies and that she doesn't come back for them.
Well, that was quite an adventure!! You were kind to save those little guys.
You know, I never considered myself the most maternal person in the world but at least I never abandoned my kids at the pool :)
I'm picturing Bob scooping those babies out of the pool and them jumping back in and now I've got a case of the giggles
Magnifique couvée.
So sad she left 2 and 2 died. So great you and Bob helped. I hope the others survive.
What an exciting day you had. I love baby ducks. Didn't know that mom would leave and not return however.
Oh --that is truly kinda sad... Didn't know that the wood ducks don't go back for their babies.... Hope the two you took to the Wildlife Rescue will make it... Poor little things.
How did they get into your yard? Thought you were totally fenced in...
Hugs,
Betsy
Sandra, it's unfortunate that the mother duck did not wait for the 2 last ducklings and also about the ones hit by cars. Hooefully the ones she left with and those You and Bob rescued sill live to maturity. Cute photos of them swimming around in yiur pool, but I can understand not sharing and Jake possibly attacking them.
They are so cute. Sorry that she lost some of her babies. Glad you saved two of them. Yes TexWisGirl knows her ducks and birds!
Good job on Bob saving the little ducks and kudos to you both for taking them in for Wildlife people to pick up. That mama should have stayed out of the pool then she would not have lost her babies. Great pictures sweet Sandra. Hugs for you and nose kisses for Jake and Baby Girl
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