We have another broody duck. Peep is sitting on a cluck of eggs in the duck house. Now Dilly has joined the hopeful building a nest near the pond. She’s become very serious about her efforts, sticking to her nest rain or shine.
The problem is, it’s not safe for her stay out all night tending to her clutch. Especially with a mink on the loose.
When it’s time to head in for the night she refuses to come. She gets all aggressive and hisses her displeasure at being roused. She knows she’s supposed to stick to her nest. She’s been this route before with less than stellar results. So we nudge Dilly off her nest and coax her indoors. All the while she is bitching up a storm, complaining the way only a duck can do.
The next morning, when we let the ducks out for the day, she heads straight back to her nest and sets up shop. We adore Dilly, so it’s a bit sad to see her put such effort into this nest when you know she’s not going to have any luck!
Read more about Dilly here:
8 August 2011: Dilly Our Physically Challenged Duck
23 March 2010: Dilly the Broody Duck
6 April 2012: Silly Dilly – The Movie
Poor Dilly, can’t blame her for trying.
Sad about the chicks, it seems we have more critters this year. I have caught a fox creeping into my yard at night, but I do leave fruit cores in the yard, so I am sure that doesn’t help. The other night a possum was enjoying the left pear. I keep my kitties in now since we also have coyotes and fisher cats in the area.
Debbie
The events of the weekend made me think about the cats. Ours are indoor kitties, but if they were not – what a dangerous world out there!