ducks – Donich Website

Ducks and Drakes

donich_admin — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 10:41:02 +0000

The yearly spring inspection of the pond by a pair of ducks has begun. Every year they turn up, and every year (so far) they have rejected it as a possible nest site. This is perhaps because of the presence of our heron which was eying the new arrivals doubtfully – but more likely because they have more sense than to try to bring ducklings up in the garden of two killer cats. Having said this – I suppose ducklings in Argyll have to cope with countless other predators – our cats wouldn’t swim out to the island to get to a nest – and I believe pine martens do just that.

We shall see what happens – but another indication that spring is here. R and I also heard our first woodpecker today.

Ducks and Buns

donich_admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 23:42:21 +0000

I did a double take walking past a delicatessen window in Castle Douglas today – it was full of very lively ducklings. A passing spaniel also didn’t believe what he was seeing and had a good bark at them. They didn’t seem very phased however, and went on with what they were doing, which was largely trying to destroy the bunch of daffodils which was in there with them. Apparently they had been brought to the shop to keep them warm, but actually they were acting as a great advert for the shop, because lots of people were coming in to look at them, and leaving with a fair selection of purchases.

This afternoon I baked some hot cross buns from the BBC recipe. They were a bit more involved than I had thought they would be (three separate proves) but they turned out great, apart from my parents’ oven being a bit hotter than I am used to, so a couple got a bit over done. Also I didn’t have a piping bag to put the cross on. I will try one toasted with butter for Easter Sunday breakfast.

Some visitors

donich_admin — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 21:51:40 +0000

On my way out today I noticed that the two ducks (a mated pair) which paid a brief visit yesterday were back today. They were still there when I got back tonight and I think the female might be measuring the island up for a potential nest.

I’m in two minds about that – I’d love to have ducklings on the pond, but I’d hate the cats to get them.

Frog Orgy

donich_admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 22:07:30 +0000

I was walking down to the summerhouse this morning when I heard a familiar burbling sound coming from the pond. Down near the stream the water was surging about and sure enough the frogs had arrived and were (not to put too fine a point on it) “getting it on” – right at the point when they were leaving last year.

So looking at the dates on ‘Seasonwatch’ spring in Lochgoilhead is almost exactly two weeks later this year than last year with the frogs arriving in our pond on the same day this year as they left on last year. This sort of fits in with the dates the flowers are coming out as well.

One end of the pond is now completely full of frog spawn, and the heron is going nuts. I actually should correct that and say ‘herons’ because on the web cam this morning I saw one heron being chased off by another one. Obviously this pond is prime territory.

The ducks have also been back and the female sat on the little island for a while, but I don’t think they will breed here because they are very wild and fly off every time we walk past. Probably just as well because I don’t see ducklings and cats being entirely compatible…