I've had the builders in recently to work on the roof and whilst
putting up the scaffolding my father noticed a nest underneath a
shrubbed area by my front door. We counted about 5-6 pale white eggs
(large) which seemed camuflaged by old leaves and the odd feather. The
nest has otherwise been undisturbed.

Although the front garden is small, it is hemmed in by bushes, a fence
and a gate which is always shut! Save for the postman, the small
enclosed area is never occupied normally and the lane is pretty quiet.

There is a pond in the field behind the cottage about 75-100m away
where I occasionally hear ducks and it was suggested that these were
duck eggs since they'd been seen on the lane.

Even though I've never seen any near my property and I'd like to
confirm it's a duck's nest, and most importantly, if they're likely to
return. I know very little about their habbits so any info would be
greatfully appreciated, thanks.

"roadwest" wrote in message
om...
shrubbed area by my front door. We counted about 5-6 pale white eggs
(large) which seemed camuflaged by old leaves and the odd feather. The
nest has otherwise been undisturbed.

I had ducks (mallard) eggs in a nest by my old pond but they were a pale
green colour. I don't know about other ducks but maybe goose eggs would be
more likely?

Martin

Ducks' eggs are generally pale blue or pale green.

--
Tony
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The message
from "Martin Sykes" contains these words:

I had ducks (mallard) eggs in a nest by my old pond but they were a pale
green colour. I don't know about other ducks but maybe goose eggs would be
more likely?

I think he might have mentioned the size of them in that case.

--
Tony
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Moscovy duck egs are whte (and so are a few others), slightly bigger than
"Hen" eggs. The duck will return & lay until 14 or so eggs are in the nest
(if its a Moscovy) They will hatch in approx 1 month. However Moscovies are
notorious for laying infertile eggs (No Male), But the female will sit on
them nontheless for a month before giving up.

If you see a male & female (look the same) then you will be in for an
entertaining month or two.

ogglet
"Anthony E Anson" wrote in message
...
The message
from "Martin Sykes" contains these words:

I had ducks (mallard) eggs in a nest by my old pond but they were a pale
green colour. I don't know about other ducks but maybe goose eggs would
be
more likely?

I think he might have mentioned the size of them in that case.

--
Tony
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"..... but maybe goose eggs would be more likely?...."

Don't you think a Goose would be rather obvious in a small front garden?


--
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

"david" wrote in message
...
"..... but maybe goose eggs would be more likely?...."

Don't you think a Goose would be rather obvious in a small front garden?
Yes, but then I imagine so would a duck.

Tony also wrote:
I think he might have mentioned the size of them in that case.
I guess I over snipped the original post, but the eggs *were* described as
large in the original post.

The original post also said there were feathers in the nest so maybe they
would help identify the culprit?

Martin

(roadwest) wrote:

Hello roadwest

r I've had the builders in recently to work on the roof and
r whilst putting up the scaffolding my father noticed a nest
r underneath a shrubbed area by my front door. We counted
r about 5-6 pale white eggs (large) which seemed camuflaged by
r old leaves and the odd feather. The nest has otherwise been
r undisturbed.

About 1.5 times a hens egg size? Most likely a ducks nest as you've
guessed.

r Even though I've never seen any near my property and I'd
r like to confirm it's a duck's nest, and most importantly, if
r they're likely to return. I know very little about their
r habbits so any info would be greatfully appreciated, thanks.

Sad to say, ducks are amongst natures most stupid creatures,
especially the males. The females too won't win any intelligence
awards, choosing nesting sites with gay abandon and lack of sense.
Once hatched the ducklings are just as dull, getting trapped in
anything and anywhere. Surprising that any survive at all, really.

That said, they can be very amusing to watch them going through their
daily lives (apart from the males habit of raping anything that moves,
occasionally drowning females in the act) and the ducklings are
absurdly cute.

--
Simon Avery, Dartmoor, UK Ý http://www.digdilem.org/

The message
from "david" contains these words:

"..... but maybe goose eggs would be more likely?...."

Don't you think a Goose would be rather obvious in a small front garden?

Might be a snow goose. Look outside - 'sno goose out there...

--
Tony
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The message
from "david" contains these words:

"..... but maybe goose eggs would be more likely?...."

Don't you think a Goose would be rather obvious in a small front garden?

Not if the garden contained an enormous beanstalk.

But seriously, large ground-nesting birds can be masters at not being
seen during nesting time. You would hardly imagine broody peahens can
conceal themselves easily, but ours did.

Janet