Ayupmes

Duck luring is an ancient art - and it takes time and patience.

Firstly dig a pond 


Then fill with water - this works a treat - the next morning after completing filling the ducks will tease you with an immediate appearence.

Next wait for a year or so before doing anything else - and I mean anything - then have flurry of activity two years later.  Redesign pond area but leave central pond in place.  Finish edging the pond - and yes I do mean hide the flipping brown liner.  Commence planting up and creating new borders around the pond and add the obligatory grassy knoll.

Then, when you least expect it, three years after all this began, come home one night to find three ayupmes on the pond.  (I know the picture shows only two, but Ms Duck is a little shy)
and in conclusion, after getting pond owner incredibly excited by making an appearence, don't be there in the morning and don't be there when she gets home from work, but turn up at about 5.30pm meaning that tomorrow will be an anxious wait to see if they turn up again.

and - lets not forget a twinge of paranoia - will the ducks eat my plants or damage the pond liner?  In which case I might need the cats to try and look a little threatening rather than their current stance of pretending they can't see them as they have large beaks!

(note:  for those of you not from the East Midlands - it is tradition to greet friends and family with 'ay up me duck' it is delightfully gender neutral, friendly and a signal that you are home).

Comments

  1. I will be watching your duck pond develop. With Lake Michigan as part of my gardens, I don't need a pond. I have a rather large on right out my door. It is great to see the ducks and migrating birds by the thousands that pass through each Spring and Fall. Right now the lake is full of resting water birds. However, I think they are surprised at all the snow this week. They may be thinking about returning to the South for a few more weeks. Wish I could! Check out the postings this week on the recent storm. You are lucky you don't get the long Winters like we do here. Jack

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  2. Your garden is huge compared to mine - very jealous. I am still trying to hide my black pond liner. I have a wildlife one too and edged it originally with turf which the birds promptly decided to use for making their nests. Constant battle here!!

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  3. @patientgardener thanks - the edge of the pond is a constant battle for me too - its still quite raw and needs plants to establish more. But I do love my pond - so glad I have it.

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  4. Isn't great how nature confounds us by not doing what we'd like it to do? ;)

    I see we have a similar approach to projects - I like your style!

    A packet of Nasturtium seeds is yours if you pop your address details along to vegplotting at gmail dot com :)

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  5. Ah yes, the @#$% edge. Our pond is concrete, recently relined with bitumen. Now waiting for autumn/winter rain so we can rethink the planting. No ayupme ducks here ...

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