Mallard Duck Nests at Minnesota Home for 4 Years

For four years, a mallard duck has nested behind a bush near the front door of Caitlin Deal's home in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of Eagan, Minnesota, drawing her family close to observe spring wildlife up close.

The duck, which the family named Martha, returns each spring to lay eggs in the tree-lined neighborhood. She incubates them for about a month, and the ducklings hatch around Mother's Day before waddling away with their mother. "It feels nice that she trusts that area, that she trusts us to be able to come back year after year," Deal said. Her 4-year-old son, Owen, spoke his first word, "duck," inspired by the annual visitor.

Spring marks peak wildlife birthing season across the United States, when birds, deer, alligators and other animals raise young in human-adjacent spots like yards, bushes and ditches. Experts say coexistence requires minimal intervention but offers rewarding glimpses of nature. "My two biggest things are stay away from the nest or the little family as much as possible, and stay curious," said Brittney Yohannes, a spokesperson for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota.

Wildlife officials urge people to leave nests and young alone....