We've had a pair of mallards (Ben & J-Lo) nesting in the flower garden by our front door since the beginning of May. Well, it's actually just J-Lo now, since Ben took off once she finished laying. It's been interesting watching her lay the eggs, then start incubating 'em. She isn't aggressive like other nesting birds I've seen; she just hunkers down in her nest and tries to blend in with the mulch and flowers if you get too close. It sounds like Fred is trying to do the same thing; if he doesn't move or call attention to himself, he's hoping you won't notice. We roped off part of the front sidewalk by the nest for J-Lo to give her some privacy, and we put some cracked corn out for her. Hopefully we'll have ducklings in a week or so, probably about the time Pebbles and Bam Bam make their appearance too