July
Watch for Water Birds
Our cold wet winter has us shivering. Spare a thought for all these water birds trying to keep nests and eggs warm and dry.
During the winter months, grebes (dab chicks) start flying in. We usually get the Hoary-headed species.
Grebes fly at night and from the air, our wet, shiny bitumen roads look like a network of waterways and they tend to crash land on them. That is why on your way to work early morning you may find these cute, round bodied, plate-sized puddings with olive colourer feet looking like weed! They are certainly not meant for walking on, so the birds are easily caught. They are so sweet and most can be returned to the real waterways after being checked over for injuries.
Watch for Ducklings
Our waterways and swamplands support many varieties of ducks, some rare, some abundant – all precious.
The first ducklings to appear about July-August are Shelducks or Mountain Ducks. Those colourful birds, like many other species sometimes nest in trees. When the babies hatch, one parent bird encourages them out of the nest to flutter or float down to the other parent on the ground, who gathers them together and they take off to a pre selected feeding area.
We do get clutches of ducklings from people who, not surprisingly think it has been raining ducks or ducklings are dropping out of trees. So if you are so lucky to witness this occurrence, stand back and quietly observe if parent birds are present, before picking up the babies.
Australian Black Ducks hatch next. Black Ducks are numerous and they tend to nest in quiet back yards, parks, car parks and remnant vegetation – wherever they nested last year, if possible. Therefore, if you have built your house on recently developed land, they may nest in your back yard or in their favourite tree.
Then with seven to fifteen day old babies in tow, they could head down your street to the river or wetland. That is absolutely fraught with danger. Only one or two ducklings will make it – if that! Traffic, people, dogs, cats, crows and seagulls will all take a toll.
If you see mum and babies in such a situation and you are driving, of course try to avoid them, but be sure it is safe to do so. The car behind you may not be able to see them and will not anticipate your sudden breaking.
Find a safe place to pull over, try to get some help if possible and herd the group to the nearest waterway. Traffic will usually stop for you, if they can see what is happening – but do not take risks.
If you find a family in your back yard, they may be looking for an escape route in your fence. Try to herd them into a shed or garage and shut the door. Make sure they cannot get out anywhere. You can then ring us and if we can get someone to help, we will. Otherwise, catch the babies first. Throw a medium heavy towel over them – they usually huddle together. Put them into a pillowslip and tie the top. It is no use putting them in cartons – they leap out of anything when they are stressed. Then catch mum, again with a heavy towel or drop net. Put her in a separate pillowslip and tie very firmly – she is surprisingly strong. Take them to a secluded waterway with lots of overhanging trees and logs where they can hide from predators. Release babies and then add mother as quickly as possible. It is great to watch them swim off; knowing that because of you, the family is intact.
Sometimes the clutch is without an adult duck, she may have been frightened off or hit by a car. These babies must come into care. Once you have spotted them – do not take your eyes off them. You will not find them again; they can disappear into thin air. Call for help or throw whatever is at hand over them and try to get them safely into that pillowslip. Tie it and then leave it quietly where you found them and from a distance wait and listen. They usually start chirping. The mother may appear or even some more siblings. That way you will collect them all.
We are very successful at rearing ducks and release up to a hundred some seasons. Australian Black Duck is the most prevalent species, but Shelducks, Maned Ducks, Teals, Hardheads and Blue Bills also appear.
Most ducks take just six to eight weeks in care before release onto farm dams where they are able to perfect their flying skills.
I like the duck season in our back yard – ducks of all shapes, ages and sizes swim, waddle, forage and mostly produce droppings. Beware!
Mabel Bell