They have finally turned on the DuckCam (or PondCam, if you will) at Botany Pond. There’s a good view of nearly the entire Pond, and you are likely to see Armon there; in fact, he’s should be there now. A few minutes ago there was another pair that I drove off, as we don’t want to couples nesting at about the same time. Oh, I forgot to add the important note that Vashti has begun incubating her eggs at a secret location (I know where it is), and we should have ducklings in a bit less than four weeks!
Even the channel is visible now, to the right behind the lamppost.
I appreciate the fact that the grounds department put a lot of work into retrofitting the pond. But it looks like a swimming pool. Why so few plants? Are we expecting to see more as the weather warms?
It’s not my doing. We may see more plant growth, but the fact that the pond has a pebble-y bottom makes it hard to sustain plants there.
Great! Bookmarked.
You can have plants in a pebble pond. You can buy fabric or mesh plastic pots that are for use in ponds. Just google pond planters. You have to make sure that you use aquatic compost. I have some in my pond, and a couple that are floating ones that move around with the wind
Newts use them for shade so they are good for wildlife.
I think the plants will come on their own. It’s possible to maybe plant some (water lilies, maybe?) But I don’t know about such things.
Nice! As Tom Webber says, it does look like a swimming pool. I do see something in there that looks like it might be duckweed. (:-) It’ll take time for nature to take its course and turn the pond into, well, a pond. Ducks are a start!
Bookmarked.
I see turtles!
Yep, right now there are two sunning themselves on the rocks. They are fed frozen smelt (not by me).
Nice view but maybe because there are scarce hiding/shelter places for birds and other small, vulnerable animals. But per Mark and Tom, and my experience with the flower beds in our yard, I am sure Nature will provide an abundance of cover as this first growing season develops. Also looks like a couple of duckling flat rock steps for babies to have egress from the water.
Looks like they invested in some nice, sturdy Hyde Park teak seating. I will need to check link from time to time to catch the Professor and Team Duck in action with their broods.
Thanks to buildings and grounds guys and gals.
Yes, we designed those steps. There are three places where ducklings can get out of the water.
You found Vashti’s nest! Cool.
Why must the nesting population be limited?
Well done – looking forward to seeing the ducklings soon! I only wish the feed had a time stamp, or even a clock in its field of view. It would make it easier to scroll back (within the 12-hour window) if someone reports something interesting. I remember doing this A LOT in previous seasons.
Well done! I checked several times today and loved seeing Armon, the sunning turtle, and so many people enjoying the space.
But yes, it does look like a ce-ment pond right now. I assume plants soon will start growing and provide some cover for the ducks.
Yah, duckcam!!