🔎 Case #010: Duck Surveillance – Operation Nest Watch Field Report #2 🥚

Operation: Nest Watch.  
Nests confirmed: Two (2). 
Mamas on nest: Two (2).  
Eggs: Approximately two dozen. Combined.  
False alarms: One (1). My human was hissed at. She apologized.  
Hatch status: IMMINENT. 🥚🦆  
Sammy's proximity to Nest #1: None. Voluntarily. 🐾

When I last filed a report on the duck situation, there was one nest. One mama. Approximately twelve eggs under a pine tree in the front right corner of my patrol field.

There are now two nests. There are ducks in my backyard. There are ducks on my porch.

I am monitoring the situation. From a respectful distance. 🦆🐾

📋 Read Field Report #1: Duck Surveillance: Operation Nest Watch 🦆🐾

Nest #1 remains active under the first pine tree. Mama #1 was first spotted at this location on March 10th. She returned on March 11th. She has been on this nest through a major snowstorm on March 17th, through rain, through wind, and through a false alarm incident involving my human that will be documented shortly.

My human says "Hi Mama" every morning and asks how she and her eggs are doing. Mama #1 does not answer, but she does not leave either. This is being interpreted as acceptance. 🥹

A brief timeline note: on the morning of April 6 at 6:58 AM, a lone egg was discovered away from the nest. It was carefully reunited with the others. Mama #1 returned. The egg situation was resolved.

Approximately 12 eggs remain in Nest #1. I am aware of this. I am monitoring. 🥚🐾

On the morning of April 9th, a second nest was discovered under the third pine tree in the same cluster. Mama #2 is well concealed. She is difficult to find with a camera. She is, however, present and on duty.

Approximately 10 eggs are visible in Nest #2. There may be additional eggs not visible from the perimeter. Total egg count: possibly another dozen.

Mama #2 also permits approach and documentation. My human says "Hi Mama" to her as well. She was asked if she knew where Mama #1 had gone during the false alarm incident of April 13th. She did not respond. The investigation is ongoing.

The seat was taken. The field has been fully claimed. 🦆🦆🥚🥚

I no longer approach the pine tree where Nest #1 is located. This is a deliberate patrol adjustment. Mama #1 has been sitting on those eggs since before the last major snowfall of winter. She does not need a neighborhood inspector adding to the operational complexity.

I still patrol the area. I approach the other two trees. I sniff. I assess. I confirm that the perimeter is secure. Then I head home.

Nest #1's tree: I leave alone. I am a professional. This is what professionals do. 🐾

Nest #2's tree I still approach, as Mama #2 is well concealed and I have not yet confirmed her exact position to my full satisfaction. 🔍🦆

I must document a significant event that occurred during the filing of this report.

My human went out to conduct the daily welfare check on both mamas. A storm was approaching. Thunder. Wind. She went to Nest #1 first.

The nest appeared empty.

Only feathers. No mama. No eggs visible. My human panicked. She went to check on Mama #2 and asked if she knew where Mama #1 had gone. Mama #2 did not respond.

My human returned to Nest #1 for one final look. Mama #1 was there. She had been there the entire time. She had simply hidden herself so effectively that my human had walked right past her.

Mama #1, startled at the unexpected close approach, issued a warning hiss. My human apologized. She said she was glad Mama #1 was there and okay. She told her she had hidden her nest very well.

For the record: the feathers visible in the nest are Mama #1's own down, used to insulate the eggs when she briefly leaves. This is normal pre-hatch behavior. The fact that she is now covering the eggs with down – when the eggs were previously visible – is a significant development.

It means hatching is close. 🥚

I would like it noted that I have been giving Nest #1 a wide berth for weeks. I knew she was in there. I was simply being professional about it. 😤🐾

Pre-dawn patrol. 6:41 AM. Sixteen minutes before sunrise. Cloudy. Windy.

As we entered the field from the corner entrance, a female and male duck flew in over us and landed directly in front of us in the field.

I assessed the situation. I approached slowly. The ducks walked ahead of me at a casual pace. I may have briefly paused to eat some grass. This was a strategic pause. I was gathering intelligence. 🌿😤

I continued past them and headed for the trees to conduct my standard perimeter check. Nest #2 mama was off her nest briefly – eggs were visible and accounted for. She was likely the female duck patrolling the field.

On the return to the back porch, the male duck was stationed in the yard. The female was nearby.

My human narrated the encounter as follows: "Hello Mr. Duck, we're just going home – oh hi Mama!" She then confirmed their purpose: "Looks like they're patrolling the field too."

The male duck quacked as he departed. My human mimicked this. I do not know why.

The ducks are patrolling. I am patrolling. My human is narrating. The neighborhood has never been more thoroughly monitored. 🦆🐾

📹 Field footage currently being processed. Follow @meowsammysays on social to be one of the first to see it!! 🐾

The timeline of this investigation is as follows:

March 10: Mama #1 first spotted at the pine tree.
March 11: Mama #1 spotted again. Nest selection confirmed.
March 17: Major snowstorm. Mama #1 remained on nest.
March 18-22: Estimated start of serious incubation.
April 6: Lone egg discovered and reunited with nest.
April 9: Nest #2 discovered.
April 13: Mama #1 observed covering eggs with down for first time. False alarm incident. Hiss issued.
April 14: Mama #1 and male duck patrolling field at pre-dawn. Nest #2 mama briefly off nest.

Mallard eggs hatch approximately 26 to 28 days after the last egg is laid. Based on this timeline, hatching for Nest #1 is estimated between April 13th and April 19th.

Hatching may have already begun. Or it may begin today. Or tomorrow.

When the ducklings hatch, they will need to travel from the nest to the nearest water source within 24 hours. My humans are aware of this and are prepared to assist if needed.

I will be on the perimeter. At a respectful distance.

This is the most significant development in my patrol career to date. Standing by. 🦆🥚🐾

Nest #1: active since March 10th. Survived a snowstorm. Eggs covered with down – pre-hatch behavior confirmed. HATCH WATCH ACTIVE.
Nest #2: confirmed April 9th. Approximately 10+ eggs. Mama briefly off nest this morning – eggs accounted for.
Total eggs: approximately two dozen.
False alarm incident: one hiss. One apology. Mama's camouflage: exceptional.
Morning patrol April 14: ducks in the field, ducks on the porch, one grass-eating cat, one narrating human.
Estimated hatch window: April 13-19. Possibly any day now.
Sammy's feelings: classified. But I am watching. I have always been watching. 🦆🦆🐾

Operation Nest Watch: ACTIVE. Hatch Watch: IMMINENT. The neighborhood inspector is standing by. 🐾🦆

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Read more duck surveillance case files:
📋 Field Report #1: Operation Nest Watch
📋 The Florida Duck Files: A Prequel (The Clusterduck)