South nest hatching soon

When I checked the south nest this morning the eggs were slightly (and some, significantly) broken by the ducklings inside. This “pipping” of the eggs precedes hatching by 24 to 48 hours, but it started on some of the eggs yesterday.

When I picked up the one on the left in the photo below I could see the duckling moving a bit and it greeted me with soft peep-peep sounds. This nest has 12 hooded merganser eggs and 3 wood duck eggs. One of the wood duck eggs was added late and will not hatch with the others.

My best guess (which historically has been more “guess” than “best”) is they will hatch late today or probably overnight, spend tomorrow and tomorrow night in the nest box, and jump on Friday morning.

I haven’t checked the east nest yet today but I think it’s a day or maybe two behind the south nest. I hope so. It’s easier to provide jump day camera coverage with just one at a time.

Live cameras are at the web site as usual: https://birdsgv.com

I’ve created a new “what to expect” page about Jump Day.