Several local residents and merchants came together recently to help a local duck and her ducklings.
The nest was discovered early last month in the municipal parking lot on Bridge Street. Carol LeVasseur from neighbouring Delta Denture Centre noticed that a mallard duck had made the grass around a utility pole her home for her nest and 10 eggs.
Nicknamed "Margaret the Mallard" by Dave Strutt at Dave's Pop Culture, the duck was well hidden from the busy parking lot.
Concerned, LeVasseur made some calls and was directed to Canadian Wildlife Rescue. A representative visited the nest and estimated it would be 26 to 30 days before the eggs hatched. LeVasseur also contacted a Corporation of Delta landscaper, who brought in barriers to cordon off the area to protect the nest from cars and pedestrians.
"Carol kept a watchful eye out for common predators and worked hard to keep the eggs safe, especially when Margaret the Mallard had to fly off to feed herself," Pat Rogers said in an email to the Optimist.
All 10 eggs hatched last Tuesday and the "duck patrol" sprang into action as Margaret the Mallard started to lead her ducklings to water.
It wasn't a smooth walk, however, as one of the ducklings was having problems lifting its head. It was walking much slower than the rest and was unable to get up a curb.
"Four of us encouraged Margaret the Mallard to walk down away from the curb and got her started across the street," Rogers said.
A family passing by joined the efforts and drivers patiently waited while Margaret and her babies slowly made it across Bridge Street.
With the slow progress, there was concern the ducklings would get overheated on pavement. After a quick call to Reifel Bird Sanctuary, the group was advised to place the struggling ducking in a box to make it easier for mom to lead the others.
"Thank goodness for Raquel from Fur the Love of Dogs," Rogers said. "Within moments the baby was scooped up and placed in a shoe box safe and sound."
The group made it a bit further before Margaret became distressed and stopped in another parking lot.
More phone calls were made and the group was told to put all the ducklings in the box and get them to water.
"Mama was great, not once did she attack us during this process," Rogers said. "It really felt like she knew that we were all working hard to help her and her babies."
Once the group got to Seafarer Marina, Margaret flew right into the water. The human contingent, however, couldn't get close enough to release the ducklings because the gate was closed.
Stephen Leeming and Janice Lawlor-Cooper from Lawlor Goldsmith Shoppe worked to get the ducklings into the water with Leeming climbing down the slippery bank.
The one duckling was still having issues, however, and began floundering in the water, still unable to keep its head up.
The duckling was taken to the Delta Community Animal Shelter where it was picked up by Canadian Wildlife Rescue.
"The latest news from Wildlife Rescue is that this little guy is still doing OK," Rogers said.
