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Conference clt::wild_birds

Title:	Birders Like to Watch
Notice:	June 1997 sightings in Note 65554
Moderator:	ROCKS::ROBINSON

Created:	Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:	Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	655
Total number of notes:	6735

653.0. "Mallard egg incubation period - how long?" by IMBETR::NEUVONEN () Mon Apr 21 1997 15:59

How long do mallard ducks incubate their eggs?  

A female is sitting on a nest in one of the concrete 'islands' in 
the NQO parking lot.  She's tucked under the juniper where she is 
virtually invisible.  We have a small pond in front of the facility,
but she is nowhere near it (I find this strange).

I know that it is only a matter of time before the landscaping
company comes and remulches.  I'm afraid that her nest will be torn
up.  

I'll talk to facilities to see when landscaping is scheduled for.  Maybe
they can skip that island until after the ducklings hatch.  I'm just 
curious how long the egg incubation period is.  

Sharon

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
653.1		TAPE::FEASE	Andrea Midtmoen Fease	`Tue Apr 22 1997 07:19`	3
	I believe it's 28 days ... - Andrea
653.2		BIGQ::GARDNER	justme....jacqui	`Tue Apr 22 1997 11:03`	6
	After talking with facilities, why not have them post a sign so that the hatchlings don't get run over when they head for the pond?
653.3		IMBETR::NEUVONEN		`Tue Apr 22 1997 11:32`	14
	I (and others) spoke to facilities and they will be posting signs in that area so that people know to stay clear. Landscaping will not be performed there until after the ducklings have hatched and are living in the pond area. I did joke that crosswalks and "duck crossing" signs will need to be posted in the parking lot soon. The ducks nest is by the smoker's area. Although it's only been 2 days, people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the ducklings. During the weekdays, I suspect that the family will have plenty of people escorts helping them to the pond and back. Sharon
653.4	Nest usefulness is finite.	NETCAD::CREEGAN		`Tue Apr 22 1997 13:09`	3
	After the female and the clutch leave the nest and head for water, the nest will be useless. So you just have to worry until they hatch.
653.5	It is 28 days	ICS::LAJEUNESSE		`Mon Apr 28 1997 15:12`	7
	It is 28 days. Strange that she would be so far from the water. The eggs have to be kept moist in order for them to hatch. As long as she is leaving the nest getting wet and returning they should hatch in 28 days. Mark
653.6		IMBETR::NEUVONEN		`Fri May 02 1997 13:55`	2
	Yes, she leaves the nest at certain times of the day to take a dip. "Daisy" seems to have a set bathing schedule :*)