Windows to the Wild Side

Mallard hen on the roof ledge.

From the wall of windows I can see the trees and bushes in one of the courtyards.  I have watched the trees bud early.  Autumn leaves still litter the ground.  One class is watching their seedlings sprout.

On the ledge overlooking the courtyard.

For the past couple of weeks a female Mallard duck has been visiting.  I have watched her locate a place for her nest.  Mr J. the 4th grade teacher has also been checking on her.  Yesterday he showed me her first egg.  She had burrowed out a hole and laid her first egg.  She then covered it up with leaves.  Hiding it from prying eyes.

The first egg.

Mr J used a stick to uncover the eggs and then cover them back up.  He told me that she won't incubate the eggs until she is finished laying.  This was something I didn't know.  She actually stays away from the nest until she is ready to start sitting on them.  She will lay an egg a day until there are 12-14 eggs in her clutch.

Checking things out (still on the ledge).

Yesterday morning some of my students watched Mrs Duck land on the roof ledge and then fly into the courtyard.  We got a first hand view of how her feathers worked as camouflage.  She was hard to see as she walked on the leaves.  Today Mr. J. brought 2 of his students to look at the nest.  Today two eggs nestle together.

She made her nest in the courtyard last year.  After the ducklings hatched the Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks was called to relocate her and her brood.  Mr H. suggested a live webcam so the kids could watch her and her family.  I am investigating how to do that.  I have never worked with webcams.  So this will be my next challenge.

Links of Interest
http://judicreations.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/2536/  Cranberry Blossom

http://fox4kc.com/2012/03/27/another-year-another-clutch-of-eggs-for-the-decorah-eagles/  Eagle Webcam