The Duck Committee

So, when I moved here, I went to the monthly “town hall” meeting held by the staff (paid) and the invited committees (residents) of my new home. The Director (paid) runs the meeting but gives general reports from each committee. The committee “chairs” sit in the front rows nodding as their month’s work is reported. There is a time given for questions and answers so the committee chairs are not simply reported and dismissed. The committees assist in decisions about food choices, movie choices, game choices, and anything that helps keep the Village running smoothly. The last committee to report is the Duck Committee.

Apparently, there is a resident-couple of migrating ducks that show up every year. A family hatches, usually 4-6, and ducklings learn to swim and survive in our protected pond, complete with water fountain in the center. The committee reports on the number of chicks hatched, gives strict “Do Not Feed” orders (except for oatmeal flakes, apparently), and reports on how the family is doing. This is a very serious committee and more questions are asked of them than of all the other committees combined.

At some point Daddy duck takes off, leaving Mommy duck with the brood. When Mommy and the ducklings are swimming in the water, they are often called a “raft” or “paddling.” I know this because I found it on Google so it has to be true. The Duck Committee is very protective of the little guys and they (the committee) religiously do a daily count. I am sad to report that the ducklings all mysteriously disappeared long before their appointed time to migrate. It is thought that the drainage pipe somehow swallowed up the little guys. We were all very sad. The Duck Committee might have said it is the way of nature but they knew it was the lack of grating covering the drainage ditch. I can tell you this will not happen again on their watch! They can be scary when pushed. I have heard reports that Management has now promised to cover the drainage with a duckling protective grate.

My room does not overlook the pond (aka the duckling disappearance area) and I am glad of that. It would be sad to, daily, see the scene of disaster. I do, however, have a back door and patio to the parking lot (for dog owners). I keep a bird feeder in my tree, as do many of my patio neighbors. I only fill it to the first holes because the squirrels eat until they are gorged. Some seeds end up on the ground and this morning I heard Mommy quacking near my back door. She was five feet away from me gobbling up loose seeds. I understand her need to find snacks in her grief. I would choose chocolate.

Please don’t tell the Duck Committee she is eating seeds. I don’t have any oatmeal.