Campus welcomes back a springtime guest; ducklings expected soon

Happy (early) Mother’s Day!

For the sixth consecutive spring, a female mallard has chosen a quiet corner on campus as her nesting site, continuing a campus tradition that has become a favorite among the Central community. 

While the returning duck is not Stanley — Central’s well-known seasonal visitor — campus observers believe this year’s visitor may be “Ella,” a mallard first spotted nesting alongside Stanley in 2024. Although the duck is not tagged and cannot be definitively identified, her selection of a familiar nesting area suggests she may be a returning guest.

Following a brief social media campaign, students voted to name the second duck Ella, in honor of former Connecticut Governor Ella Grasso.

Ella arrived on campus during the last weekend of April. With a typical incubation period of approximately 28 days, the anticipated hatch date for her ducklings is around May 21.

The nest’s location offers natural shelter from predators and minimal human disturbance, making it an ideal environment for raising a brood, however, because it does not provide a direct exit route for the ducklings once they hatch, university staff will safely guide the brood to nearby Stanley Quarter Park. 

In the meantime, Central’s Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator Kelly Selby has ensured that the placement of the university’s Duck Cam will allow viewers to follow the nesting process without disturbing the mother duck. Before the big day, viewers might see Ella turn her eggs and tuck them back into her nest. She will occasionally leave the nest to feed, so viewers should check back a little later if she's not on camera.

Tune in to the Central Duck Cam at www.ccsu.edu/duckcam on YouTube/.