Make Way For Ducklings

A duck named Vanessa has returned every year for the past 13 years to Village Elementary School in Hartland, Michigan to lay her eggs and raise her ducklings in a nearby pond. And last Thursday, like every year, the school was ready for them, blocking off a stress-free path through the halls to their home.

Video after the jump.

Full story at Livingston Daily. Thanks to sender-inner Elizabeth G.

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28 thoughts on “Make Way For Ducklings

  1. LunaChickFringe May 3, 2016 / 11:10 am

    I can’t even…

  2. Alison May 3, 2016 / 11:21 am

    Quack-tastic! How wonderful. ?

  3. allein May 3, 2016 / 11:30 am

    So would this be considered home-schooling?

    • Emmberrann May 3, 2016 / 1:49 pm

      More like nest schooling, I would think…

  4. Not That Mike The Other Mike May 3, 2016 / 11:34 am

    BTW, my apologies in advance to anyone who can’t view the video in their device. If I can find the same video from a source with better mobile support, I’ll update the post.

  5. Smartypants May 3, 2016 / 11:38 am

    This is the sweetest thing ever! And what a great opportunity for the students to learn about how to treat animals nicely.

  6. Gigi_the cat lady May 3, 2016 / 11:39 am

    I hope the babies will follow mom’s example and don’t “flock” out of school.

  7. Mariana Paes May 3, 2016 / 11:57 am

    so sweet……!!!!

  8. Juno May 3, 2016 / 12:00 pm

    YAY!!! for my fellow Michiganians–though I guess this is one time it would be almost appropriate to compromise and say ‘Michiganders.’

    • Murray C. May 3, 2016 / 12:14 pm

      ?Better than Michigoosers – or more to the point here, Michiducklings.

    • 16Cats May 4, 2016 / 7:12 am

      I prefer Michigander, myself. Michiganian is just too…nope, can’t do it.

  9. Murray C. May 3, 2016 / 12:13 pm

    Would that all of us could be lovers of life as exemplified in this shining example.

  10. Julia May 3, 2016 / 12:38 pm

    I wonder how they knew her name. They must have someone that speaks duck on staff.

  11. Catwhisperer May 3, 2016 / 12:50 pm

    I didn’t know ducks lived that long!

    • Smartypants May 3, 2016 / 3:44 pm

      Neither did I – and that 13 years only covers the egg-laying and mothering part of her life, not her childhood or her future as a grandma duck – wonder what their total lifespan is?

      • Mariana Paes May 3, 2016 / 6:27 pm

        Grandma duck!! Precious!

      • SAA1451 May 3, 2016 / 9:29 pm

        From what I can determine, if she is a bantam duck (basically mid-sized, vs heavy or light duck) her lifespan could be as much as 15 years.
        (Larger ducks have much shorter lifespans — only 6 or 7 years according to various duck-related websites)

        If she has been hatching chicks for 13 years, she is definitely a senior citizen already – which could explain why the school was afraid she wouldn’t return this year.

        By any estimate she is quite the grande dame of ducks.

        • Smartypants May 4, 2016 / 7:45 am

          Cool, thank you for the info!

          Yes, I bet she’s gained years from raising her young in that sheltered space – little threat from foxes, cats, etc.

        • Faye May 4, 2016 / 9:11 am

          Lovely. If she is smart enough to use the courtyard who knows what other strategies she uses elsewhere that extend her lifespan. Smart momma duck.

  12. Julie May 3, 2016 / 1:49 pm

    LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!

  13. Kar May 3, 2016 / 4:03 pm

    I wonder what the school board thinks about this mama-to-be/single mama roaming the hallways. I guess we really are mainstreaming these days. Or at least finding a nice pond.

  14. Lurkingduck May 3, 2016 / 4:19 pm

    I love the fact that the school knows her routine right down to the time when she will be ready for the grand march. It makes my heart hurt in a good way.
    But then I might be biased…

    • Not That Mike The Other Mike May 3, 2016 / 4:37 pm

      Perhaps they see mama duck and ducklings waiting near the door on a certain day, and the school takes that as their signal to prep the building for the big parade next day.

      • Kar May 3, 2016 / 8:53 pm

        I bet there’s a pool as to the date and time. And the science teacher teaching the same lesson year after year about nesting, incubation, imprinting, prey behavior, animal instincts, etc

  15. 6rabbits May 3, 2016 / 11:59 pm

    The first school I taught at was right across from a small park that had a large duck/goose pond. Every spring there would be one or two ducks who would make their nests under the bushes on the side of the school facing the park. The principal was always on the intercom before dismissal saying “Don’t bother the ducks!! Leave the eggs ALONE!” Since the park was also our playground, I guess the ducks were used to us!

  16. sugitomo May 4, 2016 / 7:36 am

    Did they get hall passes?

    • Smartypants May 4, 2016 / 7:47 am

      At snack time, do they get graham quackers? 😀

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