Tucked neatly, and safely, behind the bushes fronting Tom and Carmen O’Brien’s home on Fiddlers Point Drive this week were at first one, two, then three, and as of this morning, four young duck eggs. This annual springtime renewal of nature signals the hopes of 4 baby ducks soon waddling around behind mom and dad in our neighborhood.

(Warning to drivers, be careful!)

Carmen O’Brien spotted the well camouflaged nest on Monday and has been, like a doting den mother herself, keeping an eye on the coming brood.

During the day, mamma duck has been spotted (see further below) wandering the street and ponds on Fiddlers with Daddy Drake. The third member, one assumes, is a family friend, or aunt, or uncle, or who knows? But back to the matter at hand, this Wednesday morning found Mama Duck warming her clutch, quietly and contentedly. She did, however, politely move aside so a photographer could get a picture of her coming family, and then returned to protective custody.

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The egg laying season runs from mid-March until early July. Typically, ducks lay around around 12 eggs per clutch. The female will lay one to two eggs a day until the clutch is complete. She is then responsible for incubation, which can take up to a month. (science.com)

The Spoonbill, as you might imagine, needs to follow this family story. Updates as they happen.