Question: breeding season and replacement broods of ducks (1 Viewer)

[jurek]

I have on my local patch a small reserve with wet forest, river and reedbed, which has big changes of water level, perhaps 1m. I often see there broods of Mallards, Gadwalls and Tufted Ducks. But I rarely see the same brood twice, rarely something grows up, and new broods appear until August.

How many times ducks lay replacement eggs, how far they can move between nesting attempts in one season, and when they finish laying eggs? It looks like they are small traveling egg factories.

 

[jurek]

Bump - anybody? Is there something like an ornithologists' forum, in addition to the birders forum?

 

[delia todd]

Ah! That's a shame no-one has responded yet Jurek.

I can't really make much sense of what you're observing, sadly. I've seen broods of Mallards gradually being reduced as pike or herons grab one, but not the whole brood disappearing to be replaced by another brood so quickly. I don't have the opportunity of observing the other species in the same way.

Anyway... hope I've given your thread another "bump"!!

 

[jurek]

I think broods are either killed by foxes and herons or washed downstream during water rises. But I am curious why adult ducks keep appearing