Ducklings Soon!

To watch the cameras go to birdsgv.com, scroll down a bit, then use the View Live Cameras button.

West nest:

When I checked yesterday evening about half of the eggs in the West nest were pipped; that is, slightly broken by the duckling inside. This occurs 24 to 48 hours prior to hatching. Today the mother duck is also “talking” to the eggs: as she turns them she makes a soft pulsing call – the same one she uses to call the ducklings when it’s time to jump out of the nest box. She’s responding to the peeping sounds the ducklings make while still inside the eggs (too quiet for the camera to pick up).

My predictions are historically inaccurate but that has never stopped me before … and also notice the “If” here: If they hatch tonight or tomorrow early then they will jump Wednesday morning; otherwise Thursday.

East nest:

When I checked yesterday evening none of the eggs were pipped yet. This is good regarding setting up cameras for outside views. I was concerned that perhaps both nests would leave on the same day but I now think they’ll be a day apart (but see above regarding predictions). I’ll check again today if I can catch the duck away from the nest.

South nest:

Ducks continue to visit and we still see male-female pairs in the creek so it’s still possible this nest box will be used, but no eggs are in there yet. Also we’ve sometimes had two rounds of ducklings in one of the nest boxes.

Outside camera setup:

I’m going to test outside cameras today including their presence on the birdsgv.com camera web page. If you happen to be looking just then you’ll see an additional camera appear temporarily but then it will go away again until Jump Day morning.