Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 8/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: We have two female mallard ducks who have returned to our garden area for the past few years to breed, last year one female had two clutches of eggs and were here until christmas, our ornamental pond was filled in earlier this year, the ducks have hatched and have not had access to a pond at all, the tenants who share the building with us are feeding the ducks daily, the ducks are now eating all of the plants we have placed in the rockery garden we have instead of a pond, what advice can you give

ANSWER: A lot depends on your personal situation. Are you the landlord? Do you like your neighbors? Are there any local ordinances about feeding ducks? Do you live where you can fire an air rifle or a gun? (Duck season is coming up). Also you can call your wildlife department for advice or call a master gardener regarding plants that ducks won't eat.

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QUESTION: We lease the building from the local authority, the complex houses, a nursing wing, a day centre and the sheltered accomodation which belongs to the local authority, we are responsible for the upkeep of the garden area which is shared with tenants from the sheltered acc. The scheme manager is sympathetic and has agreed that the ducks should be moved, the warden in charge of the scheme sees the ducks as pets and encourages the tenants to feed them, we have noticed fox droppings outside the garden door, the ducks are making a lot of mess on the pathways which are used by disabled people. I am not aware of a wildlife department, when we contacted the RSPB we were told that the ducks would move on when they were ready to fly, but I am concerned that because they are so well looked after and last year they seemed to take a lot longer than I was led to believe they would take to leave.
Can you tell me of any literature I can pass on to these people to inform them that they are not helping the ducks by providing the environment they are doing as this is not equiping the ducks for the lifestyle a wild duck should have

Answer
I am a Master Naturalist, and you are free to copy my opinion that feeding the ducks is interfering with their ability to survive in the wild. Also the people in charge are opening themselves up to a legal problem if one of the disabled people slips on duck feces and is hurt. I would get a power nozzle for my garden hose and spray the ducks every time that you see them. It may start a war, but you will get rid of the ducks. Next year watch for nesting signs and remove nesting material before eggs are laid. Use the hose also if they show up in the spring.