Visit 12: May 23, 2010, 5:30 pm

OBSERVATIONS:
--Saw two females on south canal bank as we approached pond.
--Spotted both groups of four ducklings each from south pond bank (looking across at north and northeast banks).
--Approached mother mallard and four ducklings, all healthy, on northwest bank.
--Four ducklings are getting distinct markings and are much more aware of oncoming visitors!--Mama and ducklings stopped to preen and then crossed 'Alligator Creek' into safer cover.
--Spotted newly released group of four older ducklings swimming from north pond bank to northeast pond bank. Saw alligator in middle of pond. No imminent danger to ducks.--Approached new group of four looking for food on northwest pond bank.
--Still curious as to the relationship of the one Muscovy to the three mallards. All appear to be about the same age, all a bit older than the original group of ducklings we've been observing.

Visit 7: May 13, 2010, 9:15 am

OBSERVATIONS:
--Walked in from Hillview Street past canal and walked counterclockwise toward eastern pond bank; saw two female mallards (neither the mother) together--Circumnavigated entire pond, then started to head east down Hillview and saw mama and five ducklings walking down the path
--Surmised that they must have been hiding / resting under the cabbage palm cluster just south of the path; other possibility is the south canal bank--Watched as they went down into the canal to feed--Had a very interesting conversation with a resident whose backyard faces the south boundary of Arlington Park. Resident disagrees with county regulations and has emailed them, arguing that this is a man-made park and some species here aren't native, that ending human feeding is making the animals hungry; she also said that some of the black ducks were killed by humans a few years ago, very sad.
--Resident surmised that red-tailed hawks were preying upon the ducklings. Recalled that we had seen one on visit one.