Thanks for sharing and so awesome it was on camera!! It seems the mom duck and babies don't stay in the pond long? Where do they go and why do they leave immediately? It would see the pond would be a safe place for them (outside of the underwater ambush from big LMB)
EDIT: You posted the google drive links but they are set to be private so we can't see them. You would have to edit the properties to make the public viewable or we can request permission from you to open them?
Sorry about the link restriction. I think I fixed the access, changed to public.
My experience with WHY the hen takes them away is tied into what her remaining role is as the mother. Ducks don't directly provide any food (no nursing), so her job is to: 1. Keep as many of them alive as possible. Everything with a tooth filled mouth will eat ducklings (coons, possum, coyotes, hawks/owls, LMB, on and on). The literature says duckling survivability to adulthood is around 30%, so only about 5 of these ducklings will make the fall flight. 2. Keep them warm (especially while very little). She helps the find dry spots on shore, in the weeds/tall grass, and then lets them snuggle under her for warmth. In 10-14 days, it won't be as critical, but right now is needed. 3. Keep them fed. Wood ducks are herbivores primarily, but do eat bugs and small crustaceans (snails, etc). Baby ducks love duck weed (which is about the only reason to like that dang plant), so she'll take them to places with just the right forage for them, at the right time.
We do occasionally (rarely?) see the classic parade of ducklings behind their momma, but it's the exception. I think big, open spaces on the water just has too much downside, from a predator point of view.
Let me know if the links are working/accessable.
