Wood Duck and 12 babies at busy municipal park, El Paso County

[Dale Adams]

Had a very strange experience today walking on the grassy area just north and west of Prospect Lake, Memorial Park, Colorado Springs. As I was walking along, a female Wood Duck played like she was injured and moved away from me fluttering her wings somewhat similar to what killdeer will do. At the same time I heard high pitched squeaks coming from nearby. There were 12 little Wood Ducklings huddled together in the grass. The mother came back to them and all 13 trundled away together. Given the lack of habitat for Wood Ducks at Memorial Park and that Wood Ducks have not been reported here before in eBird, I am mystified that a mother and 12 babies came to be in the middle of it.  With how busy Memorial Park is, I hope that the mother Wood Duck and young ones do OK!

Cheers,
Dale Adams
Fremont County