mallard duck in muddy water miles from river

[ca1043]

Hello

I am living in New York and have been walking on a trail near my apartment for years. When it rains a lot, a huge puddle forms. Usually it dries up but this time the rainstorm we had was very fierce. In all my years of walking on this trail, I have never seen a mallard duck but this morning I saw one sitting in the muddy water. There is a river but it's miles away. I don't understand where this duck came from. Did it walk from the river? Can it survive on this trail? There are no fish in the muddy water or any kind of food. Can anyone advise? Thank you in advance.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mallards are excellent flyers and most likely it flew in or if a female she may have a nest near by. They do nest in some really out of the way places many not even close to water like rivers lakes ponds. Hopefully she/he will be fine.

 

[ca1043]

Thanks. I had no idea they fly. I feel better about it now. I may pass by tomorrow.