Mallard nesting in Garden

[Railmad]

I am a new member ,so hello all . My first contact is unfortunately a cry for help. Last week i had the surprise of my life. A male Mallard sitting on the Fence, watching his partner on a nest she must have knocked together in the early dawn. My garden is enclosed , no water for miles, rife of cats . and Grand Kids, Week ends. I duly shooed her away ,as instructed by RSPB site. To my horror ,this morning she was back and has layed 7 Eggs !
I haven't the heart to shoo her now, plus their is a legal responsibility to uphold. What do i do , even if she does get to rear her brood, how will she get them out of my Garden, Help !!

[Littlesparrow]

I think you are stuck with them until the ducklings hatch, by which time hopefully you would have found your nearest wildlife sanctuary who can advice and help with moving the family to water. At this stage their biggest threat would be Foxes.

[witham]

Hello and welcome, They do sometimes nest in the most inappropriate areas in our eyes but perhaps the bees knees to them.I always think of the clip shown numerous times on tv of the ducks who nested on a high shop roof and then after hatching the ducklings had to throw themselves meercat style off said roof and being caught by people on the pavement so they were able to follow the parent birds through the town to the nearby water

[actionfinch]

I had a pair land in my garden not so long ago , just glad they not returned. cats and dogs all around us...
You must let us know how you get on

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Railmad

I am a new member ,so hello all . My first contact is unfortunately a cry for help. Last week i had the surprise of my life. A male Mallard sitting on the Fence, watching his partner on a nest she must have knocked together in the early dawn. My garden is enclosed , no water for miles, rife of cats . and Grand Kids, Week ends. I duly shooed her away ,as instructed by RSPB site. To my horror ,this morning she was back and has layed 7 Eggs !
I haven't the heart to shoo her now, plus their is a legal responsibility to uphold. What do i do , even if she does get to rear her brood, how will she get them out of my Garden, Help !!

Buy them an inflatable paddling pool? Take plenty of photos, look up your nearest Wildlife Rescue ask their advice.

[Railmad]

She is well established now. Been there since 6th April. Goes for a feed 5 oclock every day . Back in morn. Survived the lawn being mowed, 5 grand kids running up and down the lawn. They were shooed off, and got the message at the end of the day. I will be like an expectant father when the time comes. I thought this kind of fretting had gone at my age, but i am a nervous wreck!! Still, joking aside, i am still concerned about the day she actually has chicks to rear. Their is absolutely no water or escape of any kind . I am estimating she has about 20 days to go , so hopefully i will have a game plan by then, Will keep you posted.

[Littlesparrow]

well done, can you take a sneaky picture without disturbing them?

[Railmad]

Bit concerned about the Mallard. She hasn't budged since my last post, only for exercise and feed, late evening. Always returned, looked this morn, no Mallard. Nest is covered in down. She wouldn't desert after so long would she.? Its been 16 days now.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Railmad

Bit concerned about the Mallard. She hasn't budged since my last post, only for exercise and feed, late evening. Always returned, looked this morn, no Mallard. Nest is covered in down. She wouldn't desert after so long would she.? Its been 16 days now.

Perhaps she has gone for an early breakfast. I wouldn't worry for a while yet. That the eggs are covered in down suggests she means to return.

henrya

[Railmad]

Spot on, just pottering down the bottom of Garden . Heard Drake on roof next door, looked round and just glimpsed her waddling onto nest.Gave the young lady a piece of my mind, staying out till all hours. Those were the days, three daughters, all stunners.