Birding/Mallard Nest

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Expert: Julia Booth - 6/19/2008


Question
Dear Julia:
About a week ago we noticed a cleverly camoflauged duck nest in our yard. We cannot be certain how long it's been there, we observed the mother sitting on the eggs for the past week.  Seems last night a predator got to the eggs, there are broken shells as far as three feet away and one egg left in the nest.  The nest does not appear disturbed otherwise and there are not feathers scattered.  We are hopeful that perhaps they just hatched overnight and are already gone.  Any idea?

Answer
If you see no feathers or other signs of a struggle, the ducklings probably hatched. Immediately after they hatch, the mother takes them from the nest to the nearest body of water. They can swim as soon as they are born. They will not return to the nest.

Birding

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Julia Booth

Expertise

I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.

Experience

I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.

Organizations
Audubon Society

Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.

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