Strange Bird Behaviour

[Englishbird]

... and no, I'm not talking about women ;o)

In my parents garden, which backs onto a lake, they have various visiting wildlife. Currently they have a Moor-hen who sits in a tree, and a parir of nesting ducks, who aside from the fact that they have made their nest 30 foot up an oak tree(!!) are often found sitting on the roof.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

[gessoo]

We currently have a nesting moorhen in our garden and she is often sitting in the tree opposite the room where I am typing this! We also get ducks on our roof - however as for nesting 30ft up in an oak tree...............!!!

[Lonnie]

There was a news item a few days ago, where a duck, (Mallard), nested in a window box approx 20ft from the ground, all but two of the hatchlings suvived the drop to the ground.

[sixpence]

We often see ducks on the roofs round here, but have never seen any nesting as high as that, in a tree. It seems strange, though, doesn't it? They have the wrong sort of feet for perching.

[Englishbird]

I'm a bit worried about the ducklings, but my mum says just to let them get on with it. The moor-hen in the tree is quite a sight, glad we havn't got the only strange birds!

[Cetti]

Hello Englishbird, ducks who like the thrill of high rise living are unusual but not that rare. I'd love to know what type they are, do you know?

The breeds who like to live life on the edge are Buffleheads, Common Merganser, Goldeneye and Wood Duck and I think it's only the Goldeneye that breeds in this country - the others being American. Don't worry about the babies as they will plop down when mum gives the word and be completely unharmed. Some tree dwelling ducks nest directly over water so the babes have an even softer landing.

[Englishbird]

Hi Cetti, they're just normal common 'a' garden english ducks, mallards?, the bow they're on may well be over water actually, hadn't thought of that, although it's still a bit of a drop! I'm not one for meddling wih nature too often, I'm sure they know what they're doing. To be honest a lot of the problems that occur in nature are there because humans think they know better, even with the best intentions, so I'm sure my mum is right. Thanks EB x

[sixpence]

Englishbird, I bet you'll enjoy watching them. Let us know what happens, won't you?