I recently posted about some eggs being moved out of a nest, and now even more strange goings on have occurred.
Last night we found an egg that had been opened, but this time by our duck who is nesting well outside of the compound (e.g. under a hedge about 200 metres away), e.g. one of hers. She was still on the nest at that time. This morning she was gone. There was no sign of any fight, e.g. loose feathers, etc. and even weirder, no sign of her nest covering. The remaining eggs (4) were on show (and since been moved to the other nesting duck, just in case there is still hope).
Previously she had had a beautiful nest covering of leaves and duck feathers, hiding the eggs wonderfully, and this has completely disappeared along with our duck (Delilah). We are assuming she has been taken by a predator, but there is a kernel of hope she may have for some reason, sort of, moved her nest, or at least an egg or two and the covering, as we can't figure out otherwise where the covering went to.
Has anyone else had this happen? Any ideas, explanations?
Last night we found an egg that had been opened, but this time by our duck who is nesting well outside of the compound (e.g. under a hedge about 200 metres away), e.g. one of hers. She was still on the nest at that time. This morning she was gone. There was no sign of any fight, e.g. loose feathers, etc. and even weirder, no sign of her nest covering. The remaining eggs (4) were on show (and since been moved to the other nesting duck, just in case there is still hope).
Previously she had had a beautiful nest covering of leaves and duck feathers, hiding the eggs wonderfully, and this has completely disappeared along with our duck (Delilah). We are assuming she has been taken by a predator, but there is a kernel of hope she may have for some reason, sort of, moved her nest, or at least an egg or two and the covering, as we can't figure out otherwise where the covering went to.
Has anyone else had this happen? Any ideas, explanations?