During the frigid temperatures of December 7–9, hundreds of migrating Mallards descended upon the Merrimack River in Lowell, Mass. for what appeared to be a frolicking jamboree.
There was a leapfrog ceremony and various activities including synchronized flying, group dabbling, and total immersive diving for aquatic vegetation.
The lively sounds of duck jive were constant and ubiquitous on the river. The Canada Geese joined in with some scattered bleats of their own. Gulls and crows added their calls to the soundtrack over a background of rushing water
To prepare for the communal diving activity, a hundred or more Mallards spent time alongside the nearby diving ducks including the Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, and Hooded Mergansers. By observing the divers in action, the Mallards picked up some valuable pointers on how it’s done—or so it appeared.
And just like that, the Mallards, stationed in large groups at various parts of the river, engaged in full body submersion diving. Some came up with aquatic plant forage, while others seemed to engage in the ritual for bathing purposes, or simply to enjoy the experience.
And as is common among waterfowl, even the Mute Swans joined in the spirit of emulation alongside the Mallards by submersing their full bodies underwater and emerging to shake themselves dry.
Hundreds of Mallards participated in the leap frog ceremony, starting just below the Aiken Street bridge on the Centralville side. The ducks allowed the current of the river to take them backwards for about 75–100 yards, before they flew back to the bridge to begin again.
All who engaged in the leap frog ritual appeared to be enjoying themselves. The euphoric ceremony continued nonstop over a period of 24 hours.
Then there was the synchronized dabbling, where five or more Mallards dabbled together in the low parts of the river.
And of course, synchronized flying was another highlight of the jamboree.
As the activities wound down, many Mallards stayed on beyond the three day event. In fact, there are still 150–200 Mallards still out there enjoying all the Merrimack River has to offer.
Five Mallards practice group dabbling as a male and female look on.