Fair weather fowl urge caution in Perry motorists, pedestrians

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Quick action saved these lucky ducklings from an uncertain fate in downtown Perry Wednesday.

Recent reports of motherless ducklings ranging freely in Perry’s downtown business and cultural district and sightings of geese with goslings along Perry’s roadways serve to warn local motorists and pedestrians to use caution during the avian nesting and rearing season.

A caller to the Perry Police Department Monday said “an injured duck wandered into the shop along with 10 or 12 ducklings.” An officer responded, collected the birds and transported them to the offices of Dallas County Conservation at Forest Park Museum, there to be made over to “someone to assist the duck and rehabilitate it.”

Two days later, another police department caller reported “about 10 ducklings running around Ben Franklin.” Once again, an officer responded and detained and transported the ducklings to Forest Park Museum, which employs the services of a qualified duck rehabilitator.

Tuesday found seven high-stepping goslings following their Canada goose mother in the 2900 block of Iowa Street. The faithful gander did not make his presence known, but no injuries or orphanings were apparent in the gaggle.

Recent disturbances along Frog Creek, both in the Perkins Park corridor and at Willis Avenue, might explain the displaced ducks. Ducks rely on wetlands, backwaters and flowages for critical nesting and brooding habitat, security from predators and access to food, water and cover. According to ornithologists, disturbance by humans during the brood
rearing season can break up and scatter broods or frighten parents into running ahead of their ducklings or goslings.

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