Mallard mama duck nests at Sandy Hill Fruit Farm
MADISON TOWNSHIP — Sandy the duck has flown the coop.
For the past few weeks, the mallard has been nesting at Sandy Hill Fruit Farm. She picked a few bales of straw sitting in front of a greenhouse.
Sara Kirkpatrick, who owns Sandy Hill, saw the first hatchling Tuesday morning.
"I saw three total. They were popping out from underneath her," Kirkpatrick said. "I couldn't believe how big they were.
"I went out at 9:30 (a.m.) or so, and she was not there. We have not seen her since."
The mama duck left five unhatched eggs, surrounded by down feathers.
"I was shocked that she left those, but I don't know how that works," Kirkpatrick said.
Sandy Hill owner named the duck Sandy
The owner had adopted the duck, calling her Sandy for obvious reasons.
Michael Kegley, manager of Sandy Hill, discovered Sandy in late April.
"She laid an egg a day for about a week and a half," he said.
Sandy enjoyed a quiet atmosphere for the first few days.
"Since the weather changed, there were so many people," Kirkpatrick said. "It was very stressful for her."
She said some customers harassed the duck.
"One lady came to the register and said she had dared her kid to touch it," Kirkpatrick said with a hint of exasperation.
That encounter prompted Kirkpatrick to put a "Do not touch" sign on the bales of straw.
In the days leading up to her eggs hatching, Sandy barely left her nest.
"A lot of people thought that she was fake because she wasn't moving," Kirkpatrick said.
Sandy Hill owner feeds fruit and vegetables to duck
Kirkpatrick became concerned, thinking Sandy was not eating. She did online research to see what ducks eat.
"It said fruits and vegetables and a slew of other things," Kirkpatrick said. "Fruits and vegetables, I can do."
On Friday, she cut up green peppers for Sandy, who thanked her by biting her. She was simply being a protective mom.
The next day, strawberries and orange peppers were on the menu. Sunday featured tomatoes and more green peppers.
Sandy was feasting on a veritable salad bar.
"I tried giving her lettuce and corn," Kegley said. "She didn't go for it too much."
Kegley also put out a baby pool for Sandy, but he's not sure if she used it.
Kirkpatrick gave Sandy more tomatoes on Monday before she and her three hatchlings disappeared.
Feeling a bond with mama Mallard
By then, the Sandy Hill owner felt a bond with the mama duck.
"The second day, she didn't bite," Kirkpatrick said. "The third day, she didn't even huff. I talked to her all the time. She trusted me."
Kirkpatrick said Sandy's departure has left her sad. She regrets not taking a picture of the duck.
"I was in the moment, I guess," Kirkpatrick said. "I was so proud to have her here. Of all the places, she chose that spot."
Maybe one day, Sandy will return.
"I don't know if she'll want to come back, but she's welcome if she does," Kirkpatrick said.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Madison Township business chosen by mallard duck for nesting spot
