| Author | Message | ||
     Ducley |
Well, surprise, a mallard has decided to nest in the rocks next to my pool and now there are a bunch of little heads popping up and down wanting out. They haven't made it to the water yet and I've made two ways for them to get out of the pool but I am wondering if anyone else here has been through this. I've checked out some websites recommending a light bulb under dog carrier(s) with towels, duck food and fresh water along with their own mini pool on the side. Was surprised to find the ducklings can get waterlogged and drown before the waterproofing oil takes over in 4 weeks. So, comments? Recommendations? And please put the recipes in a separate thread... | ||
| Hootowl |
That’s funny. I had a pair of bewick wrens nest in my garage. The chicks fledged yesterday. Mom has been trying to get them to outside, but they won’t follow. Protection from predators and all-you-can-eat meal worms are hard to fly away from.  Do you think the chlorine will hurt them? Maybe put up a little kiddie pool with plain water? | ||
| Ducley |
The hottub is on the near side of the pool and on the same system of pumps and filter. Waterfall suctions from and returns to the pool only, is loud so it rarely gets used but does a good job blocking freeway noise. So I set the valves to hottub only, pour the chem in the hottub, stir, and crack the valves to add to the pool slowly. Kiddie pool was recommended by the 'net people and will probably be an addition alongside the necessary fresh water next to the chick starter from the local farm supply. The ducklings just got in the cement pond for the first time late today. The folks at the farm store advised to use chick starter if anything early on, then let mom and nature take its course. They also let me know the body oil issue is only a problem when she abandons them. When mom preens she tranfers her oil to them, also stimulating their own glands to operate. I haven't touched the grass on the other side of the pool which gets minimal attention anyway so now is knee high plus. No idea if there's enough bugs for 9 ducklings. | ||
| 86129squids |
Wrens. Last week I had been working out in the yard and garden, shed open all day. By the end of the day, I noticed... wrens. I call them "nut birds". As the sun was setting, after dinner,  One coming, one going, about a 15 second cycle. They were building a deluxe nest in Marcia's helmet. These dang birds tried the same Fkking thing with my helmet about 3 years ago. Quick. She doesn't ride with me anymore, back problems. Now, WTF, helmet.  Oh well. | ||
| Blake |
Hah! That's great Squids. Had one in my shop a few years back, nested on a shelf between the WD40 and gear oil. Fun to watch the youngins while they're still there. | ||
| Big_island_rider |
Nice post. At first I thought it might be about letting your kids outside from quarantine.  | ||
| Aesquire |
Herd of deer in yard. Foxes, rabbits, and a freaking insomniac owl. ( noon, midnight, 3 am. Hoo-hoo--hoo. ) Had an insane robin build it's nest on top of the rear tire on my Caravan, daily driver. Just would not learn. Move nest, go to work, next morning, New nest. Killdeer dive bombing the tractor. Woodchucks under the shed. Ah, country living! | ||
| 86129squids |
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| Needs_o2 |
Waiting for this mamma to pop any day now. This picture was just two days ago. I'm not sure if she's the same one that had twins in the neighborhood last year, the cows are just harder to identify.  Hopefully I'll get pics of her little ones soon, they're nothing but all legs when they see their first light! | ||
| Hootowl |
Speaking of ducks, my eldest daughter informed me that her mother, my ex, started keeping ducks for the eggs. Ever the wise ass, I asked whether she had all her ducks in a row. My daughter, being an order of magnitude smarter than me, immediately replied, “well, she only has two, so, yes”. | ||
| Crusty |
What I want to know (and nobody has yet to explain it) is; if baby chickens are called chicks, then why aren't baby ducks called dicks? | ||
| Needs_o2 |
This one is!  | ||
| Pwnzor |
Because ducks aren't dickens. | ||
| Tpehak |
Birds pooped on my car today. | ||
| 86129squids |
Ducks... Years ago before I had my fence put in, we started seeing a mallard couple show up regularly when they migrated here to nest. They knew there would be free seed and stuff here, as we keep the bird feeders going year round. After the first couple of years, more ducks would show up. Either their broods had matured and learned their routine, or other ducks just picked up on it. So, the OG duck had to get territorial to keep the others away from the seed and his mate. Nothing but entertainment, watching the duck wars. We've also got a nest or 2 of red-tail hawks behind us. Once spotted one out in our birdbath. Love those birds... every blue moon or so we've seen a "kettle"- a big communal group together, circling up a thermal. Now THAT'S something to see. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I get wild turkeys, deer, raccons, possums, beavers and the usual rabble of chipmunks and squirrels. I do have a pair of red tail hawks and their recently fledged offspring. They don't allow other hawks in the area. | ||
| Hootowl |
Happened upon these little guys yesterday. They didn’t seem to notice me, or didn’t care. This one finally noticed. | ||
| Hootowl |
Yeah, I know, they’re carriers. I didn’t touch them. | ||
| Ducley |
DDay 5 - I thought we had an agreement I get the hottub and they get the rest. Wrong. (Message edited by Ducley on May 18, 2020) | ||
| Ducley |
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| Needs_o2 |
Finally starting to see baby critters in the area. Saw this mama hanging out solo yesterday morning and last night she was plus one. Bad pic, was taken through living room window at about 800 yds, and low light. Still haven't seen mama moose with her little ones yet, but did see a mama to be mule deer walking quite uncomfortably last night, we're hoping for twins!  | ||
| Aesquire |
No moose, but the ever so cute whitetail fawns are in my yard daily. ( future chili ) I see mom leading her young around where I'm mowing. I'll try for a clear pic. | ||
| Needs_o2 |
All forms of venison chili are mmmmmm good!!!  | ||
| Needs_o2 |
Had this big dude stroll through the yard last night. Definitely the biggest and coolest black bear I've ever seen! I figured "Big Red" was an appropriate name for him. I hope to see him again, he was huge!     | ||
| Pwnzor |
They're like big fluffy dogs. I grew up tent camping in the Sierra Madres and saw all manner of bears. Never was scared of them, and they are actually pretty predictable. You respect their space, and they generally won't bother you. Of course, when they choose to intrude, it's best to just let them go about their business. | ||
| Tootal |
Hmmmm, I wonder if he craps in the woods? | ||
| Pwnzor |
Look for white rabbits with brown stuff all over them... | ||
| Needs_o2 |
Pretty sure I've tripped over his piles while hunting! | ||
| Blake |
Wow! That's an incredible bear. | ||
| Needs_o2 |
These two in the yard yesterday.   |
