An Email from Chipper, the Black-capped Chickadee

I'm passing along an email I received at Aquatic Connections from the National Wildlife Federation. It was sent from a Black-capped Chickadee, named Chipper.



Dear Aquatic Connections:

My friends and I are all a “twitter”!

A couple of weeks ago, I asked caring folks like you to create backyard sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife through National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program. I’ve gotten firsthand reports from “my peeps” across the
country of yards that are not only beautiful but are providing the things that animals need most -- food, water, shelter and places to raise their young.

I can’t thank you enough for making us feel so welcome and safe. So, “two wings up!” to everyone who has already certified their backyards and can now enjoy the many benefits of certification.

And, if you haven’t had a chance to certify yet, it’s not too late!
My friends and I are looking for “summer homes” where we can nest and raise our families out of harm’s way. You see, because of development, climate change and invasive species, nearly one-third of us birds are endangered, threatened or in decline. So, we certainly would appreciate your help!

Plus, when you certify your backyard, your $15 application
fee allows NWF to continue its important conservation and
education work on behalf of birds like me and other wildlife
across the country.

Thank you again for helping me and my friends.

Your friend,
“Chipper”


P.S. When you certify today, you'll be eligible to purchase the “wildly” popular Certified Wildlife Habitat™ yard sign that makes it easy for me and my friends (as well as yours) to identify your yard as wildlife-friendly. Claim yours today!

Aquatic Connections is certified as a Backyard Habitat and our pond displays help support many forms of wildlife. This year we will be carrying Native Plants called American Beauties and for every purchase a donation is made to the National Wildlife Federation. I'll let you know when the plants arrive. Sign up for Aquatic Connections Newsletter to stay informed about ponds and backyard wildlife! Click here to read about Aquatic Connections commitment to education.

Did the Mallard Ducks Eat My Koi & Goldfish?

A customer from Aquatic Connections emailed me the following question when she discovered that the fish in her pond were missing: We had quite a few fish in our pond, however, I was leaving for work one morning and noticed we had ducks on our pool cover. Do you believe the ducks probably noticed the pond and went fishing? If so they ate many of our gold fish and koi.

This was my reply. Every March & April we have a pair of mallard ducks show up in our backyard. If there is water on our pool cover, they like to hang out there. I usually send the dog out to scare them away. The cover is messy enough with all the leaves and debris, I don't need the ducks adding to the muck.

Sometimes they decide to swim in our pond. It's always a male and a female mallard and I often wondered if they would ever nest in yard. Anyway, they just swim around and bask in the sun until I send out our dog. Over the last five years they have visited our pond, I have never seen them eat any of our koi or goldfish.

So I did a little research on the food preferences of mallards and this is what I found out (courtesy of CentralPets.com):

Not overly disturbed by human activity, Mallard Ducks are often seen in canals, lakes, ponds, and urban parks. They seem to be able to adapt well to nearly anywhere with a body of freshwater and an appropriate climate. Mallard Ducks are migratory, spending winters in more southern regions and summering in northerly parts of their range. In warmer areas of the world, some Mallard Ducks may not migrate. In the fall and winter, they pair into mated couples. Although females quack, males do not; rather, they communicate with whistling or grunting noises. Mallard Ducks spend most of their time foraging for food. They eat a number of items including insects, fish eggs, small fish, tadpoles, wild rice, berries, leaves, green plant shoots, and grain. Most of this food is acquired from foraging in muddy areas in or near the water and embankment of the Mallard Duck's home. The Mallard Duck uses its bill to filter food from the mud.

I think most koi and goldfish would be too large for the ducks to eat. Something else may have eaten this customer's fish. My guess would be a heron. If you have had a similar experience with ducks or herons or disappearing fish, please post your comment for us to read. Thanks.

Click Here to register for Seminars at Aquatic Connections.

When Can Koi & Goldfish Be Moved From an Aquarium Back to the Pond?

A customer recently emailed this question to Aquatic Connections. "My son bought some koi and shubunkins for our pond at christmas time and has kept them indoor in an aquarium. When and how do we adapt the fish to our pond. Our water temp is 52 degrees right now."

Aquatic Connections Response: Ideally, koi and goldfish only like a water temperature change of about 2-5 degrees. We aren't selling koi or goldfish at Aquatic Connections right now (March-Early April)because there is too much of a difference from our tanks to most people's ponds. I would wait longer. I would get your pond water tested and make sure the water quality is good right before you are ready to transfer the fish. You'll want to add pond salt and stress coat to the pond. What you'll do is put some aquarium water in a plastic bag and put the koi and shubunkins in that (or several bags). Tie the bags and float them in the pond for 15-20 minutes to let the fish get used to the temperature. Then you'll open the bags and use a net to scoop them out. You don't want to dump the aquarium water in the pond because it could change your water quality. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

If you have any tips, comments or suggestions on moving koi and goldfish from aquariums to an outdoor pond, please post your comment here.

Click Here to visit Aquatic Connections Website.

THE BIRTH OF A HUMMINGBIRD

A customer forwarded this email to Aquatic Connections and we wanted to share it with everyone. This is truly amazing. A lady found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest. Took 24 days from birth to flight. Because you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share. Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all. If you want to see pictures of a hummingbird nest, egss & hummingbird babies please Click here.

Also, if you haven't read the two comments left on the Hummingbird Posting from 3/31/09, you missed a link to a 2009 Hummingbird Migration Map. For a link to the Map, Click Here.

ALEX'S LEMONADE POND TOUR...A POND TOUR FOR THE CURE

Aquatic Connections has teamed up with several other Water Garden Companies to host a joint pond tour to be held on Saturday, August 1, 2009. There will be a tour in Pennsylvania and a tour in New Jersey. The cost of the tour will be $15 for adults and children over twelve, and the proceeds will be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand. You will be able to purchase your tickets at Aquatic Connections and will receive a complimentary Alex's Lemonade Stand pin, which we ask that you wear on the day of the tour. This special pin is your admission ticket to the tour and shows your support for Alex's Lemonade Stand and the fight against childhood cancer. Directional booklets will be handed out when you make your donation and receive your pin. Further details will be provided as the date of the Tour approaches. You can find more information on Alex's Lemonade Stand and the Pond Tour for the Cure by Clicking Here.