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Southampton Press / Community / Community Story / 2072542

Ducklings Rule the Pool

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Seven ducklings took up residence in a Southampton pool last summer. COURTESY PETER ZEGLER

Seven ducklings took up residence in a Southampton pool last summer. COURTESY PETER ZEGLER

authorStaff Writer on Jan 23, 2023

On July 4, Peter Zegler found seven newly hatched baby ducklings and their mother paddling about in his swimming pool. Realizing that without access to food or freshwater, the ducklings would likely die, he called around to animal rescue association’s as well as private trappers and relocators only to learn that without the ducklings in immediate danger there is not much that can be done. After explaining the situation to staff at Serene Green in Sag Harbor, arrangements were made for him to pick up a basket of greens twice a week for the ducklings and their mother. Having established a source of nutrition, Zegler rigged string and shiny ribbons over the pool to keep out hawks and raccoons. Over the next three months, he watched the ducklings mature into adults that eventually flew out of the pool and into the sunset.

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