Troubles in the duck pond

August 14, 2018 • 1:15 pm

The latest duck report is a bit sad. Without telling me, and despite their promise that they wouldn’t do anything to the pond, Grounds and Landscape Services sent two people to the pond this morning to cut down the tall reeds at the north end of the big pond, and they used small chainsaws and stuff, which must have made a lot of noise. When I went down this morning to feed Honey and Phoebe, there were no ducks in the pond–they might have been spooked. I complained, though it was of course too late, and they told me that they “were under the impression the ducks had moved on.” Of course they neither looked at the pond nor asked me.

When I went back later in the morning, and again just now, Phoebe was there, but was really, really scared, cowering in a corner of the pond (in the small one). I tried to feed her twice, but I can’t even get close enough to her to toss her food. She is, apparently traumatized.  She will eat corn and mealworms if you can toss them hard enough to reach her, but she won’t come when I whistle, and may miss her companion Honey as well. Honey appears gone for good, though perhaps she may return. I hope so but don’t think so.

This would be a sad way to end Honey’s tenure here, and I’m a bit worried about Phoebe being able to migrate on her own.  I was going to post pictures and videos today, but I’ll wait a bit to see if mom comes back.

31 thoughts on “Troubles in the duck pond”

  2. This is dreadful news. I hope that the food will allay Phoebe’s fears, at least somewhat. But where is Honey? If she can’t yet fly, where is she? This is not a way to end the summer.

  4. I can’t ‘like’ this one, its too disturbing. Honey may well come back but Phoebe really is on her own now, If you can put out some plants or whatever for her to hide behind it may help.

  7. “Impression the ducks moved on”…

    Malice. They knew full well they had not. In their defense they do have duties to fulfill.

    Where there were once threats from wolves and foxes there are now chainsaws.

  10. STUNNED-SAD-ANGRY @ “grounds” I sure hope that Phoebe adjusts & “gets the hell out of Dodge” for the winter. Condolences, Jerry 🙁 (no, I do not know how to make emoji’s)

  11. Pisses me off. I hope you’re calming down Prof.

    I see the manager of GL&S, Brandon Rux has a BSc in Turf Science & comes from a country club golf grounds maintenance background. Perfect lawns & all that bollix. Does he get out of the office away from his charts & schedules?

    It looks like GL&S are putting their schedule first “hmmm, calendar sez cut back the pond flora. Go to it boys”- I wonder if GL&S need a bit of education on the untidy, lovely botany & zoology within their kingdom. Animals & plants before neaty neat borders – them pesky ducks bring garden lunchers = litter.

    Am I being harsh on the ramp providers?

  13. I don’t get it. Don’t the people responsible for the pond like that it has actual wildlife? Or is it just supposed to be some sterile artificial ornamental pond? If the former, why on earth do they do things that are guaranteed to terrorize the wildlife?

    The above being said, I’m optimistic that Honey will return and Phoebe will get over her traumatized state once they’re confident that the ruckus has died down. Mallards are usually pretty tough and adaptable!

  15. Honey will be back. This has been a years-long soap opera. They always come out of the coma/lose their amnesia/find out it was the twin sister who was murdered.

  16. Oh, Jerry…I’m heartbroken to hear this news! All I can do is hope they come back, if not this year, then next.

  18. I’m so sorry and sad. Will cling to the confidence of others that it will all work out. The duckies know you and trust you.

  19. Oh how sad! I’m reading this quite late so I do hope there’s a follow-up post saying all’s back to normal. But I’m almost afraid to look.

    Damn PEOPLE!

  20. I think “landscaping” is a waste: cutting bushes down into geometric shapes, using weed killers, etc. Nature is at its best leaving it alone. I once had a neighbour who trimmed her perfect (but ugly) lawns with scissors!

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