Mallard ducks gather and quack loudly at the mouth of Mill Stream and other streams in winter where there is vital open, fresh water. These communal baths provide safety from ice-hunting predators, food to dabble and a place to rest and conserve energy.
They’re also good places for pairs to form and strengthen bonds, increasing the odds of later breeding success.
(Images taken in Blue Hill, Maine, on January 13, 2026.)