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Nesting duck at Home Depot attracting attention

Nestled between the hostas at the Bangor Home Depot, a female mallard duck sits on seven eggs on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, waiting for hatchlings. This is the second year the duck has returned to nest in the store's lawn and garden section.
Kevin Bennett | BDN
Nestled between the hostas at the Bangor Home Depot, a female mallard duck sits on seven eggs on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, waiting for hatchlings. This is the second year the duck has returned to nest in the store's lawn and garden section.
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff
Posted May 31, 2011, at 5:40 p.m.
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A female mallard duck sits on seven eggs on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, waiting for hatchlings as customers browse plants and flowers in the lawn and garden section of the Bangor Home Depot store.This is the second year the duck has returned to nest in the lawn and garden section.
Kevin Bennett | BDN
A female mallard duck sits on seven eggs on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, waiting for hatchlings as customers browse plants and flowers in the lawn and garden section of the Bangor Home Depot store.This is the second year the duck has returned to nest in the lawn and garden section.
Home Depot employee Brenda Hatch cares for and feeds a female mallard duck that has taken roost in the lawn and garden section of the Stillwater box store.
Kevin Bennett | BDN
Home Depot employee Brenda Hatch cares for and feeds a female mallard duck that has taken roost in the lawn and garden section of the Stillwater box store.

BANGOR, Maine — Debbie Currier looked a little bored as she shopped the lawn and garden section Tuesday at The Home Depot in Bangor, until she turned a corner and saw something afowl.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Currier. “Am I really seeing what I’m seeing?”

“We get that a lot,” said Brenda Hatch, who works in Home Depot’s lawn and garden section.

Surrounded by hostas, impatiens and Miracle-Gro potting mix sat a female mallard atop a nest containing seven eggs. The scene — cordoned off by strips of yellow tape and overshadowed by a sign that says “Please do not disturb the duck” — represents an unprecedented chance to see a nesting duck from only a few feet away, but if you want to touch her you’ll have to get through Hatch first.

Hatch feeds the duck every morning and brings her water twice a day. In the morning, the duck sometimes follows Hatch around as she waters plants and restocks shelves. Sometimes when Hatch goes too close, the duck puffs up and starts breathing hard. And once in a while, the feathered fowl lashes out, nipping Hatch with her bill.

“When she does that I just say, ‘Now you stop that,’ and she puts her head right down,” said Hatch. “My father used to raise ducks, but I could never get this close to them.”

The duck showed up about three weeks ago. At first it just walked around until it found a suitable row of shelving to build a nest on. According to Hatch, the same duck came around last year but store employees put her in a box before she laid eggs and relocated her to Bucksport. As it turns out, though, the duck prefers a retail setting.

“She came back this year and laid eggs in the same aisle where we found her last year,” said Hatch. “We try not to disturb her. She’s wild.”

The duck hardly moves as customers file past, snap pictures and remark about how remarkable she is. Every morning she takes off through the open ceiling of the lawn and garden section, but returns within an hour.

So what’s her name?
“One manager calls her Paulette, another calls her Rosie and another calls her Daffy,” said Hatch. “I don’t think she likes Daffy.”

Hatch just calls the duck “the duck.”

A game warden who visited the scene said ducklings have an incubation period of three to four weeks, which according to Hatch’s calculations means the eggs are nearly ready to hatch. One person suggested that if the duck returns next year, dropping one of the first-laid eggs on the floor might cause her to choose another nesting area.

“I’m not going to do that,” said Hatch. “I’m not going to let anyone else do that, either.”

As many as 20 people a day visit the store just to see the duck — a number that spiked on Tuesday when the Bangor Daily News published a photograph. Ducks near humans aren’t completely unheard of, according to reader comments about the photo. A duck nested this spring under some stairs used by third-graders at the Weatherbee School in Hampden. According to Susan Carpenter, a secretary at the school, 10 ducklings hatched from nine eggs (twins!) last week. Mother duck and the ducklings walked across school property toward water and haven’t been seen since.

Jim Bishop of Bangor spent a few minutes watching the Home Depot duck Tuesday before continuing his shopping. He was philosophical about the experience.

“The intersection between this absolutely commercial enterprise with the wilds tucked right into it is amazing,” said Bishop. “I’m not sure what that says, but it encourages me.”

Scott Haskell of the BDN staff contributed to this report.

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  • Anonymous

    Evolution….

  • Anonymous

    Evolution….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Schlipstein/619163083 Michael Schlipstein

    Awww I hope BDN manages to get some pictures of the ducklings when they hatch.  They would be so cute.

  • https://me.yahoo.com/a/qD27wDV0m.h3NTahGt9XXmbiL5pzyvZC8k2TLVU2qmScdalecwc4cQ--#b0bd2 The_Greek_SailorBC

    Let them hatch and now that the duck has already made a home there, HD should get some way to protect the duck if the headquarters will allow it.  I’m sure they already know about this situation and feel not only it is cute and all, but it is free and great advertising for HD in Bangor! 

  • Anonymous

    Mallard eggs incubate for 28 days. The first egg laid might hatch first and the last laid last but they’re all usually out within a 24 hour period. Twin birds are very rare. It’s great that the kids go to watch so closely.

  • Anonymous

    Mallard eggs incubate for 28 days. The first egg laid might hatch first and the last laid last but they’re all usually out within a 24 hour period. Twin birds are very rare. It’s great that the kids go to watch so closely.

  • Anonymous

    Her name is Pearl S. Buck Duck. her offspring will be the Pearlettes. Pearlie used to reside on Moosehead Lake during the summer.  Her mate is named, Buck.  Please be nice to them. They understand English and French.  Many thanks to Home Depot for allowing Pearl to nest.

  • Anonymous

    Her name is Pearl S. Buck Duck. her offspring will be the Pearlettes. Pearlie used to reside on Moosehead Lake during the summer.  Her mate is named, Buck.  Please be nice to them. They understand English and French.  Many thanks to Home Depot for allowing Pearl to nest.

  • Anonymous

    I’ve actually had wild ducks eat right out of my hand at a lakeside camp. Took awhile for them to come around and do it. Had to stop it since too many started to show up.

  • Anonymous

    I’ve actually had wild ducks eat right out of my hand at a lakeside camp. Took awhile for them to come around and do it. Had to stop it since too many started to show up.

  • Anonymous

    It could be the Home Depot’s new mascot. :)

  • Anonymous

    It could be the Home Depot’s new mascot. :)

  • Anonymous

    It could be the Home Depot’s new mascot. :)

  • Anonymous

    “AFLAC!”

  • Anonymous

    “AFLAC!”

  • Anonymous

    “AFLAC!”

  • Anonymous

    “AFLAC!”

  • Dumbb All Over

    Duck soup. Peking Duck, Duck eggs, roast duck, duck livers

     Recipe hint:baby ducks…ground in a food processer to a paste like consistency right after they hatch make an excellent pate. Traditionally the food processer is pulsed quickly so as to adequately grind the baby duck bills. Try to get them all ground up before any quacking….yum I can’t wait!…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6J3WXON2OEXEPBVVR3777AQSVE tracy

    You are disgusting!

  • atruebluedowneaster

    Now they need to put in a little kiddies pool for her and she will feel right at home… This is sweet and probably one of the safest places around for her and her soon to be newborn…. Way to go HD!

  • atruebluedowneaster

    Now they need to put in a little kiddies pool for her and she will feel right at home… This is sweet and probably one of the safest places around for her and her soon to be newborn…. Way to go HD!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pam-Wells/1360747831 Pam Wells

    Great job Home Depot Staff.  Thank you for being so considerate to wildlife….

  • Anonymous

    I did the same thing until I realized by doing this they were not afraid of man anymore and it cost them their lives during duck hunting season.  I no longer encourage a close relationship and feed them in the water without human contact.

  • Anonymous

    I did the same thing until I realized by doing this they were not afraid of man anymore and it cost them their lives during duck hunting season.  I no longer encourage a close relationship and feed them in the water without human contact.

  • Anonymous

    In other news the crows are ticked off that a duck doing something natural is gaining more attention then they are. They claim they are out on the roadside and in the middle of the road everyday doing anything to get a headline in the newspaper and are upset that it takes a duck to lay eggs at a store to gain attention. 
    The “Gulls” down at the waterfront are also mad that they get no coverage and are going to declare war by “coloring all news reporters and their vehicles with a different paint scheme” quoted by one Gull who wishes to remain annonymous.

    I asked the duck myself early this morning the pressing question, where is the new family going to go? The duck responded by stating “Disney, and instead of staring me down everyday while I rest, why not give me a Whoopie Pie, or a laptop, or even an iPad”. As the interview concluded the duck thanked me for the interview and expressed how upseting it is to see her not be interviewed when she is the highlight of the article. The duck encouraged I tackle a carer in journalism but I had to give a political view as to why I could not do that.

  • Anonymous

    A Maine business, open for ducks… ;)

  • http://twitter.com/TheGuardianMH The Guardian

    Happy duck :)  Well, at least there is something cute in the news. 

  • Anonymous

    I have a 19tn year old Mallard named Liz Borden. They have some personelly. Best to her and her brood. Thanks to the lady who cares for them. Great Story..

  • Anonymous

    The store really needs to invest in a camera to put on the ducks.  It would be a great way to keep up with ducks online and to deter knuckleheads from disrupting the duck.

  • Anonymous

    The store really needs to invest in a camera to put on the ducks.  It would be a great way to keep up with ducks online and to deter knuckleheads from disrupting the duck.

  • Anonymous

    The store really needs to invest in a camera to put on the ducks.  It would be a great way to keep up with ducks online and to deter knuckleheads from disrupting the duck.

  • Anonymous

    Home DeDuck!

  • Kelly Denoncour

    Well it’s obvious why she keeps returning; she’s being fed! It’s unfortunate that she will be gaining a dependency on the people who are feeding her, which could be passed on to her ducklings. I hope Home Depot is prepared to deal with this every year; they should permanently cross off an area just for her (and keep the Miracle-Gro and pesticides away). 
    It also makes me wonder why Home Depot had to move and be built on top of a wetlands area. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=507650636 Jon Coburn

    I think this is horrible…the home depot should be ashamed – now this poor ‘duck’ will be getting used to humans feeding it. the only solution for it now is to euthanize it. dhs should be called and the removal of the eggs to a foster home as well.

  • Anonymous

    This is great!  It is nice to see a box store willing to support this mother duck in her quest!

  • Anonymous

    very cute story! She will probably be gone with her baby ducks once they hatch, but will also probably be back every year now. I’m sure Brenda is having a ton of fun with this…I know I would!
    (Kelly & Jon- go rain on someone elses parade.)

  • Anonymous

    I find it commendable too.

  • Anonymous

    I find it commendable too.

  • Anonymous

    I find it commendable too.

  • Anonymous

    You hit the nail on the head! My mother initially told me about this story and I immediately thought of the controversy (tragedy really) only a few years ago when Wal Mart wanted to build on the wetland, and they got their way. I think Home Depot went back there first.

    I think that’s why the duck chose to nest there. She showed up last year and they moved her to Bucksport to nest, and she shows up again this year! It would be hysterical if it wasn’t so sad.

    The original Home Depot next to Target stands empty, and they tore down the old Wal Mart and built it up again into a Lowe’s.

    It makes no sense that they had to destroy a wetland to make way for big box.

    I think the wetland had a name. It was an important one, yet I can’t remember what they called it. I’m ashamed..  

  • Anonymous

    You hit the nail on the head! My mother initially told me about this story and I immediately thought of the controversy (tragedy really) only a few years ago when Wal Mart wanted to build on the wetland, and they got their way. I think Home Depot went back there first.

    I think that’s why the duck chose to nest there. She showed up last year and they moved her to Bucksport to nest, and she shows up again this year! It would be hysterical if it wasn’t so sad.

    The original Home Depot next to Target stands empty, and they tore down the old Wal Mart and built it up again into a Lowe’s.

    It makes no sense that they had to destroy a wetland to make way for big box.

    I think the wetland had a name. It was an important one, yet I can’t remember what they called it. I’m ashamed..  

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=626357743 Richard Simpson

    shoot the duck and toss the eggs on I-95

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KJEUWEYRHIPWV3PTTWWNUZ2CTQ mcmaineacjam

    It is wetlands all the way to Pushaw Pond, how much are you going to restrict? Some people find negatives in everything.

  • Anonymous

    Are you thinking of the Penjajwoc Marsh?  That entire area is part of the Marsh.  I remember when that complete section was a dairy farm, Stillwater Ave was a 2 lane road, and the only thing on Hogan Road was the 95er and the Peterbilt dealership…looks a little different in that neighborhood these days.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=507650636 Jon Coburn

    I think this is horrible…the home depot should be ashamed – now this
    poor ‘duck’ will be getting used to humans feeding it. the only solution
    for it now is to euthanize it. dhs should be called and the removal of
    the eggs to a foster home as well. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_U345DOJIYQPRHB27ISQ4IPSU3I Barbara

    Until my husband passed away in Nov. 2007, we used to summer in Maine, as that is where we originated from.  As a result, I still keep in touch and loved the story about the Mallard duck.
    Am so glad that she is being cared for and protected.  Please don’t let anyone hurt her and please welcome her back next year.
    Barbara True, Naples, FL.   Formerly Seaarsport, Maine.

  • Anonymous

    Richard Simpson. you’re fu#*ed up in the head.  Perhaps YOU should be tossed off I-95, instead of the duck’s eggs.

  • Anonymous

    Richard Simpson. you’re fu#*ed up in the head.  Perhaps YOU should be tossed off I-95, instead of the duck’s eggs.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=507650636 Jon Coburn

    so this is where we get duck sauce from? i say sell the chicks to Twin Super Buffet in brewer to drain as much ‘sauce’ (blood) from the corpses to provide a base for the duck sauce recipe. yummy

    deathdestructionhardcorehurr

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=626357743 Richard Simpson

    brewer buffet could use the eggs in there egg drop soup

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=626357743 Richard Simpson

    brewer buffet could use the eggs in there egg drop soup

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435613561 Brian Cooney

    Such a great story!!!
    I suppose they’d have to draw the line if a bear were to try hibernating in the store.

  • Anonymous

    brewer buffet could use the eggs in there egg drop soup

    ******************************************

    …you never quit, do you?  what’s up—too many people complain about your earlier post about dropping the eggs on I-95?

  • Anonymous

    That’s it! Thanks so much for the reminder. It’s only been a few years but I’m disgusted with myself I couldn’t remember it without prompting.

    I just remember Blue Seal Feeds being the only business on Stillwater for the longest time. There was a lady in a little tiny house on the corner of Hogan and Stillwater who used to wash and mend  and iron my mother’s table linens. Crazy…

    I meant crazy how things have changed out there, not the lady.

  • Anonymous

    That’s it! Thanks so much for the reminder. It’s only been a few years but I’m disgusted with myself I couldn’t remember it without prompting.

    I just remember Blue Seal Feeds being the only business on Stillwater for the longest time. There was a lady in a little tiny house on the corner of Hogan and Stillwater who used to wash and mend  and iron my mother’s table linens. Crazy…

    I meant crazy how things have changed out there, not the lady.

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