Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management What kind of ducks are these?

There have been about 7 of these guys swimming around on my new pond for the last few days. Can anyone help me identify them? Any guesses as to whether they're migrating through or making a permanent home at my pond?






Also, bonus points if you can tell me what this is. It's about 6-8" tall and there are a few of them scattered around in the mud near the pond:

Crayfish mudpile where they burrow in and push the mud out with thier tails.... I'm curious on the ducks too as I have one of those ducks too

I doubt they will stay as there probably isn't enough food yet in and around your new pond. Sorry don't know my ducks that well.

Those ducks look like blue winged teal. Maybe someone can provide a link?

Definately bluewing teal. They are most likely migrating through your area right now headed to the North Country to start nesting. They will typically start nesting in May.

I googled "blue winged teal" and it looks like you're right. Thanks! Is there any reason I wouldn't want them hanging around my fishing pond? If they won't hurt anything I'd love for them to stick around. They're really fun to watch.

Now I'm really interested in the crayfish mud pile too. This is a new pond that isn't even full and hasn't been stocked with anything yet. It never occurred to me that crayfish could spontaneously stock themselves into my pond. Are there any other possibilities or is this a pretty positive ID? Maybe I'll set out a trap in the pond overnight and see if I catch any.

I dont think there would be any reason not to want bluewings hanging around. Very cool duck! However, I I wouldn't expect them to stick around very long.

I agree that this is a typical crawfish pile. Try buying a crawfish trap, baiting it with dog food, and sinking it completely near the pond edge by the mounds. I have caught crawfish before using this method.

Thanks. I'll certainly try the trap once it stops raining. If it ever does. The pond went from 1/4 full to almost all the way full overnight and it's still pouring!

Mud chimney is a pretty positve indication that it was a crayfish. Ditch and stream dwelling crayfish will travel long distances on wet rainy nights moving from wet spot to wet spot, thus this is probably how and when they immigarted to your pond. Stream dwelling crayfish are usually chimney builders. Some species are more prove to digging tunnels-chambers that others. Underground chambers are where they usually incubate their eggs.

Bluewing teal are good eaters too. I love September teal season. I hope the crawdads don't compromise your dam and cause leakage problems...

Hey CJ, have you ever tried eating Merganser.

I feed them to my dog... Seriously, they get frozen and then added to her raw diet. No joke, she loves them!

Bluewings prefer shallow water. They'll probably bug out as the water gets deeper. They're headed north now.

Really... Dave, Ken, moderator?

I have a momma Bluewing Teal and 5 babies in my pond this year. They are really skiddish.