Ferndale High School staff are still trying to find ways to help the baby ducks and mother duck living in a small courtyard at the school.

A mother duck recently had ducklings in the courtyard 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 were six baby ducks left on Tuesday but just three remain now, and the hawk continues to make appearances.

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 has proven to be difficult.

The Howell Nature Center has been offering advice to school staff, including FHS secretary Dottie Deel, secretary Athena Jennings and Ferndale Youth Assistance secretary Melinda Hicks. They've also been getting advice from a woman known as "The Duck Whisperer" who has been raising ducks in a school courtyard in Southgate for several years.

Hicks said they've been told that gazing balls - the mirrored spheres typically displayed on top of a stand as a lawn ornament - could help keep the hawk away. Anyone interested in lending one to the school for a month or so is asked to contact the school office at 248-586-8600.

"If you have a gazing ball you're willing to lend to a great cause, please drop it off at the front office of FHS and we'll place it in the courtyard," Hicks said.

Hicks said she would make sure the gazing balls are returned "after these babies are safe and on their own."

Anyone who has items to donate or other suggestions can contact the school office at 248-586-8600.