We have one more Wood Duck hen incubating eggs in one of our duck nest boxes. This morning I watched her fly out and away for whatever reason. I took advantage of the opportunity to bring a ladder and camera and look into the box. She is taking care of 22 eggs, hers and, surely, those of another Wood Duck. This is called "dumping," and it's not uncommon in this species. I don't know when she began incubation, so I can't even guess when the eggs will hatch. I've never seen the freshly hatched ducks jump from their box to the ground. I'd like to put a camera on that. Here's the nest and eggs.
about the writer
jim williams
Several home watch businesses joined together in the Minnesota Home Watch Collaborative to stay vigilant across the whole state.
