Watch Your Step at Oak Hill Park

DANVILLE, CA- The Town of Danville snapped this great shot of a bird's nest in Oak Hill Park, asking if residents can guess whether they are duck or goose eggs. Officials say that they will keep an eye out and let everyone know when they hatch.

It's prime egg laying season, says Ducks Unlimited, who explain that birds lay eggs in spring, triggered by the lengthening daylight. By April they can reportedly lay up to one egg per day.

As a reminder, Ducks Unlimited says there are many laws and treaties that protect migratory birds, and it is illegal to take or possess eggs of nesting migratory birds without the proper permits.

Things to know about duck nests:

• The nest bowl is 7-8 inches in diameter and 1-2 inches deep.
• Once the nest is built, egg laying will begin from 1-3 days.
• Nest cover can be any form of vegetation available within the area. Preferably dense vegetation 24 inches high, such as native grasslands and CRP fields.
• The hen will lay an average of 9 eggs which will hatch within 28 days once incubation begins.

And about goose nests:

• Canada geese have a diverse approach toward nesting. They will nest almost anywhere; bushes, fairways, cliffs, muskrat houses and small islands.
• Canada geese exhibit very strong family and pair bonds, and tend to return to their natal homes to nest.
• Artificial structures such as tires, washtubs, and boat docks will attract a goose searching for a nest.
• Generally, the goose will sit on the nest and the gander will stand guard nearby.
• They will lay a range of 4-8 eggs per clutch and the eggs will hatch within 25-30 days.
• Canada geese will renest if a nest is destroyed.

Read more about birds nesting in public or private areas here.

Photo via the Town of Danville