Duckling debacle has neighbors calling ‘fowl’ on new Seattle fence

SEATTLE — The city of Seattle is trying to evict ducks from two small lily ponds at Volunteer Park, and it’s causing quite the stir.

About two weeks ago, Seattle Parks and Recreation staff installed a mesh layer to the wrought iron fence that surrounds two lily ponds in an effort to keep ducklings from entering the pond.

But it’s a solution that has some people criticizing the move as cruel.

People said mother ducks walk their young sometimes for blocks from where they roost to access the water.

“We’re upset the parks department would do this just before the babies were born. And they said, ‘That’s the whole point. We don’t want them here,’” said Carla Becker, who lives in the neighborhood. “A lot of people are upset about it,” she said.

A sign posted by the city reads, in part:

“Seattle Parks and Recreation staff have taken measures to exclude ducks from the two small ponds at this park. These measures are for the safety of the ducks and park users, as well as for protection of pond infrastructure.

“Ducklings are often unable to exit these ponds and have died as a result. In addition, the excess number of ducks in recent years has damaged the ponds’ infiltration systems.”

It’s a controversy first reported by the Seattle Times and Capitol Hill Seattle Blog.

Concerned community members have also reached out to KIRO 7.

“I just really don’t understand the rationale, the logic, the reasoning,” said Hamid Yazdi over the phone. “It feels like yet another decision the city is making that goes against life,” he said.

The Volunteer Park Trust, a citizen group, stated it’s backing the ducks in a post titled: “Give ducks a chance.”

“The fact that their ‘solution’ protects neither ducklings nor water quality and was done without public engagement or seemingly, exploring alternatives and consequences, frustrates me,” wrote Eliza Davidson in an email.

Multiple people said they’ve watched broods of ducklings grow up successfully, using the ramp at the pond to get out of the water.

“Twelve were born, and eight survived. And we saw those eight survived to adulthood,” Becker said.

Despite the mesh installed by the city, ducklings were inside the pond on Monday.

Several people at the South Lily Pond said those ducklings inside now were helped by a human.

“The mother duck was frustrated because she couldn’t get her babies in there. Because this is all fenced in,” Becker said. Becker explained a mother duck was outside the pond with her ducklings, pecking at the mesh.

“There was a woman here, and she put the ducks in the pond. She said, ‘I can’t stand to watch this. It’s just too heartbreaking,’” Becker said.

The Volunteer Park Trust also pointed out it worked for years to get plans approved for a wrought iron fence to be installed around the ponds. It expressed in a statement online, “The design specifically allows ducklings to pass through the fence. This ‘solution’ by SPR is short-sighted, ineffective, and unsightly.”

Becker said between Sunday and Monday, someone removed a panel of the mesh fencing. “It wasn’t there yesterday,” Becker said about the hole that’s near the city’s posted sign.

It’s not clear if the ducks or ducklings were aware someone had removed one small section of the mesh fencing, as no ducks entered or exited through the hole while KIRO 7 was there Monday.

People concerned about the ducks and ducklings said they’d like to hear more of an explanation from the city — and have a discussion about better solutions.

“In these times of pandemic, this is like a little godsend for us. I see my neighbors here. People bring their kids here. We come every single day to see these ducks, and we watch them grow,” Becker said.

The rest of the sign posted by Seattle Parks reads:

“We are utilizing this temporary solution while we work with wildlife agencies on a more permanent strategy.

“PLEASE DO NOT TAMPER WITH THE TEMPORARY FENCING OR HANDLE THE DUCKS.

“We understand this is frustrating to community members who want to observe the ducks and ducklings. We encourage you to visit the Arboretum and waterfront parks where ducks and other waterfowl are raising their young throughout the city.”

After this story aired, Seattle Parks got back to KIRO7 on the following questions questions:

Is the city taking any other measures to try and keep ducks out?

No. Not at this time.  After reviewing our other options provided by our partners we will make a decision later this year.

There is one panel missing from the south Lily Pond mesh fencing. Did the city do that?

Yes.  Traditionally the nesting occurs in the surrounding shrub beds.  When staff installed the mesh they inspected the area and did not see any nests in the pond.  After it was reported that there were ducklings in the pond, staff removed the mesh to allow them access out of the pond.

Some say the dirty water problem can be fixed simply by cleaning the pond. Any insight to add?

Cleaning the pond can fix the poor water quality but the installation of the mesh was allowing staff the opportunity to clean the pond without the ducklings who consistently added to the problem.

Can you provide more detail on the filtration problem?

The pump bio-filtrations system consists of an outer layer of gravel. The duck organic material and feces prevents the circulation through the filter.

Do you have a timeline on when the mesh may come down?

We do not.  We are piloting the mesh fencing and measuring its effectiveness.  We currently have external partners reviewing other options that we will be reviewing at a later date.

Cox Media Group