So she doesn't like the cute little *****??? They can be a pita, so I'm glad you relocated them, I just wish they could have enjoyed their new freedom.
If you look carefully, those are mallard eggs next to the Pampas grass. That's just one of the more than 12 nests that have been destroyed by the ***** so far. The hens will re-nest up to 3 times if their eggs are destroyed.
For those nests that have survived so far, our next fear is that the $#@*^ ***** will catch, kill and eat the ducklings. Then all we have to worry about are the hawks, crows and turtles that consider ducklings a delicacy at this time of year.
Carol will not kill a raccoon. But she doesn't want them relocated and set free only to return here or kill wild nesting birds and domestic fowl elsewhere. We've used raccoon proof artificial duck nests evelated on steel poles in the water. While that discourages the *****, the ducks aren't particularly comfortable with them. I've tried chicken wire enclosures around a ground nest but the ***** quickly learn to climb them. Worse yet, they are a clever animal and quickly associate such enclosures with nesting ducks and then raid them all.
I'd put out poison laced canned cat or dog food (a favorite **** trap bait) near the nesting areas for the ***** but fear that non-targeted stray animals may get into it, or worse ... one of our dawgs. It's a real battle and after fighting it for five years now, I can tell you that's why Carol and I share such an intense dislike for raccoons. They are often rabid, frequently unafraid and even aggressive towards dogs and people and will destroy any nest, bird or chicks thay can get to.
