Most ducks, including mallards, teal and wigeon, nest on the ground where the hen conceals herself under a canopy of grass. Notice how the tall, coarse stems and leaves of the reed canary grass provides cover for their nests. Go to the shoreline and look at the aquatic plants growing under water. At times the small white flowers of the aquatic buttercup cover the surface. Snails and insects live among the plants.
Waterfowl eat the stems and seeds of underwater plants and fish eat the insects.
If you are lucky, you may see an osprey diving for a fish or a great blue heron spearing a fish with its sharp bill. Stop 7 Water levels control life on the pond. The water control structure is used to adjust water levels on Island Pond because plants and animals react to changing levels. The pond is held at the same level during nesting season to prevent nests from being flooded. The amount of open water and cattail is controlled by water levels with a good balance for wildlife being half open water and half cattails.