Baby Ducks in Danger in Ferndale High School Courtyard
Some say it's just the circle of life, but several staff members want to help the mother duck and her babies, which are being preyed on by a hawk.
Photos
Videos
Ferndale High School secretary Dottie Deel says it might just be her motherly instinct, but there's something about the baby ducks stuck in the school courtyard and she can't help but try to save them.
A mother duck recently had ducklings in the courtyard of the school near the front office. There were 10 babies to begin with, but a "huge hawk" has been circling the courtyard and several ducklings have disappeared. There are six left now, and the hawk continues to make appearances – with the mama duck and babies scurrying to find shelter each time it's spotted.
A teacher is willing to move the duck family near her home, where there's a large pond, but they'd need to catch them first – which is proving to be difficult. The babies are easier to catch, but staff don't want to leave the mother behind.
"I just feel so bad," Deel said Tuesday afternoon, after attempting to catch the mama duck with the help of a student teacher.
They were able to catch two of the baby ducks, but released them back into the courtyard after realizing they were not able to catch the mother.
Animal Control and the Michigan Humane Society were unable to offer assistance – it's the "circle of life" after all, some have said – but Deel just wants to see them safe.
Melinda Hicks, secretary with Ferndale Youth Assistance, said it has been breaking the hearts of many staff members and students at the school to see the ducks slowly picked off.
"Unfortunately, we have no way of keeping the mama and babies safe from the hawk and, even though I know it’s the natural order of things, it’s breaking our hearts to see this happening," she said.
Anyone who has suggestions or knows of any organizations or resources that could help can contact the school office at 248-586-8600.
Jennifer M. Cline
10:14 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Awww! That would be so sad to see! Thank you Dottie Deel for trying to help the babies. I can't believe the Humane Society couldn't offer some assistance. Sure, it's the circle of life. But it's at a high school and the babies can't escape quite yet!
Kim Kane
1:52 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Look for a wild bird rescue. Just google the search for 1.
Melinda Lee Hicks
9:15 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
If only it were that easy, Kim. There are places available to help if you are able to transport the birds to them. So far we have not been able to capture the birds to move them.
G-Money
9:57 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
If its in one of the enclosed courtyards, then they can build some kind of canopy above the nest area, so that the hawk cant just swoop straight down and pick them off. They can use one or more of the walls as a vertical support. They can have it off the wall around 6 feet or higher, or they can run it across the roof. They can use chicken wire, or a bunch of crisscrossing string: Anything that would keep the hawk from easily fitting through. They can even use some sort of solid flat material like tarps, but that would be more intrusive to the ducks.
Melinda Lee Hicks
9:17 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
That's an excellent idea but way beyond the capabilities of those of us caring for the ducks. I'd also be concerned that the mother and father ducks wouldn't be able to leave to get their food, etc. I did put up a tarp tonight that covers the pool the ducks and ducklings are using. The Howell Nature Center suggested we hang old CDs from a tree as well as put gazing balls in the courtyard to scare away the predators so we'll do that tomorrow. I think the most we can do now is try to keep the hawks etc. away.
evermore rose
2:26 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
there is now only three ducklings and one of the parents. we are not sure which gender it is. hopefully they are ok and safe. i am a student and every chance i get i check on the ducks and i was there when the hawk tried to eat a couple of them. i was so worried about them when i had to leave for class.
Tyler Beltz
5:15 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
I am a student at Ferndale HS and I also was there during lunch with Evermore Rose when it happened. We saw the hawk and immediately went to try and scare it away. Those ducks are so cute....Evermore and I check on the baby ducks in the morning before school starts, during lunch and after school. I hope the Howell Nature Center helps us take care of them or takes them and protects them. :)
Melinda Lee Hicks
9:12 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
We've been getting some very helpful advice from somebody that works at The Howell Nature Center. She told us to put a tarp over the duck's pool so we did that this evening. She also told us to put gazing balls in the courtyard but I only have one of them so if anybody would like to loan us theirs for a couple of weeks, we would really appreciate it. Apparently the gazing balls scare off the hawks and other predators. Somebody from The Howell Nature Center will be calling tomorrow morning and will assess the situation for us. We're truly grateful for their help and hope and pray these three remaining precious little baby ducks and their parents will be fine. Meanwhile, if anybody local is available to help out, please call the school. We'd love the help!
G-Money
9:51 am on Thursday, May 31, 2012
The chicken wire, etc. is only meant to block off where the ducks nest, from above. The sides would still be open for the parents to enter or leave the area. With this predatory bird, I am presuming it attacks from above, swooping in, and then taking off.
Erik Roberts
9:45 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
I was thinking, as I drove by today, I'm not sure how big the courtyard is but fishing line in a grid pattern with tinfoil strips flapping on them will keep all birds out. It's how folks up north keep ducks and geese off their ponds. Cheap and easy. It seems as though it may be a little too late but just an idea for the future
Melinda Lee Hicks
9:30 am on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Thanks for the idea Erik! We've been told that the mother will continue to come back to the courtyard to lay her eggs so that's a good idea for the future. Thanks again!