Lucy the duck successfully escorted her brood of ducklings across the busy University Avenue this morning with the assistance of the Charlottetown Police Service. Several people also gathered to watch the event and to take photos and videos.
Lucy took her ducklings to the nearest wetland, behind the Farmers' Market that's just across the road.
For the past eight years, Lucy the black duck has made her nest in the garden centre of the nearby Atlantic Superstore where she eventually lays her eggs.
She usually builds her nest in the potted plant section, but has been known to use taller trees for privacy and protection.
Many shoppers in the garden centre can pass Lucy by without notice, but her privacy wasn’t all it was “quacked” up to be this year — the Superstore and Ducks Unlimited partnered on a live camera so viewers could watch in anticipation of her baby ducks hatching.
Lucy will spend 28 days sitting on her eggs until they hatch, usually in early June. About 24 hours later, city police will be alerted to help her and the babies make their move to the Ducks Unlimited Canada-restored wetlands on the other side.
(Video via Ducks Unlimited Atlantic Canada)
