As of March 29, the ducks that were moved in December have been returned to their “old homestead,” at Willow Dale duck pond, according to concerned citizen Beverly Sherman.
“Ken, a local of Willow Creek, cared for the ducks throughout the winter months and, as of last week, the ducks have been safely transported back to Willow Dale for the spring and summer seasons,” Sherman told The Era.
Bradford’s Dave Cibula, she noted, has already begin to visit them daily.
Sherman noted that, upon arrival, the group of concerned citizens who moved the ducks spotted a lone duck that had already been dropped off at Willow Dale.
“This group is strongly discouraging the placement of any more ducks at the pond,” she explained. “When we met through the winter to discuss the future of the ducks at Willow Dale pond, the group was unanimous not to perpetuate the population and to get the message out, as well as to place signage asking locals to please not drop off any more ducks.”
In addition to signage discouraging drop-off, the group is looking to place signs to discourage feeding the ducks white bread, which, according to Mother Nature Network, is unhealthy for waterfowl.
“We are, by no means, duck experts, but through this process we’ve become aware of a few things and want to make sure they are fed properly and on a regular basis,” Sherman stated. “For example, studies suggests that they should be fed with nutrient-rich corn and pellets specifically meant for fowl.”
She noted that, while the ducks “instinctively eat the food that nature provides,” such as bugs and worms, more nutrient-rich sustenance may be a better option.
Although there are coin-operated feed dispensers currently located at the pond, Sherman explained that the group was unable to locate the key to open and fill them so that visitors can use them.
“We’re looking at options to possibly replace, if need be, so that people in the community or those passing through can stop and visit the ducks and, if they wish, feed them real duck food,” she said, adding that the money is then used to replenish the feed.
The group of concerned citizens intends to gather and care for the ducks and, come wintertime, move them again, if need be. However, Sherman commented that this initiative is about more than the ducks at the pond.
“The hope is to form a dedicated committee of people who will work together for the long-term beautification of the pond, as a whole,” Sherman said. “The overarching goal, in addition to looking after the fowl, is to maintain what has already been accomplished, to keep the benches and gazebo in tip-top shape, plant flowers around the flagpole and when needed, replace the American flag on the pole.”
The task, she added, isn’t something that one person can do without becoming overwhelmed, and commended the original Friends of Willow Dale caretaker for his efforts with the pond in the past, but now more help — and more work — is needed.
“The meltdown and heavy rains in February caused flooding at the pond, which brought massive amounts of creek stones to the mouth of the pond,” Sherman described. “Ron Orris learned through the original Friends of Willow Dale caretaker that Jim Erwin has graciously volunteered his time and excavating equipment to dredge the mouth of the pond on an ‘as needed’ basis so that it doesn’t fall back into the disarray it had succumbed to years ago. And more work is yet to be done to ensure and maintain the rural and natural beauty of our beloved duck pond.”
Any service organization that may be interested in participating in community service work at Willow Dale duck pond is encouraged to reach out to Sherman and the concerned citizens involved in working with this initiative.
