Jayne Ziegler started caring for a white, perfectly proportioned duck anonymously named Lucy in early 2020 during COVID. Lucy was a transplant from the busier world of Pier 701’s backyard river.
Previously known as Scarlett, Lucy palled around town with a duck named Afflack. Alas, Afflack went missing one day, so heart broken Lucy left her bustling life to venture up creek and start anew. She became Lucy of Sparkill Creek.
2020 was our year of isolation. Communication through Facebook on neighboring sites was an outlet for connecting to others. From Jayne’s postings on Facebook, Piermonters became familiar with the chronicles of Lucy and her many male mallard admirers. She was gathering quite a lot of followers on Facebook as well.
Winter’s cold weather had some villagers concerned about her survival, and started a bit of a rift between well meaning rescuers and creek dwellers, but Lucy stayed put.
Sprinkling oats, peas and corn on the creek behind her house, Jayne made sure Lucy had a proper diet. Lucy kept warm in her snuggly, protective layer of fat from her devoured dinners. Neighbors also contributed, leaving kernels and seeds on Jayne’s front steps to ensure Lucy’s well-being.
Come spring time, love was in the air and hit Lucy hard. With her healthy, newly trimmed down body, she caught the eye of another duck, anonymously named Desi. Once their relationship was solidified, Lucy and Desi got busy. Next thing Lucy followers new, Lucy and Desi had built a full blown nest on near by property. Critters raided the nest, but Lucy survived and laid eggs all along Sparkill Creek.
During a summer rain storm, it seemed a struggle for Lucy to conquer the strong current across the creek’s way to reach her food.
July 6th would be the last Jayne would see of Lucy.
Was it Lucy’s time to say goodbye to life or has Lucy relocated yet again, leaving fame behind her for a quieter spot in Piermont and yet another name change given to her anonymously? We are hoping it’s the latter and nothing more.
With a multitude of inquiries on Facebook about Lucy’s whereabouts, Jayne is not alone in concern for her. Many miss hearing Lucy’s loud quacking, seeing her nonchalantly stopping traffic on Ferdon Avenue waddling slowly across the street oblivious to the cars, and entertaining us with her yellow beak clumsily attempting to snap up oats, peas and corn floating on the creek’s surface.
We truly hope to see Lucy of Sparkill Creek again.
Joanne Ottaviano, Jayne Ziegler
Lucy
Joanne Ottaviano, Jayne Ziegler
Tim Temple