UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — The Promenade Saucon Valley has a new resident — temporarily.
Meet Promemama, a female mallard duck that's taken a liking to a planter on the outskirts of the shopping and entertainment center's water fountain roundabout.
She has made it her nest, in preparation for laying eggs.
"Ducks choose the oddest places to nest."Peter Saenger, acopian ornithological specialist for the Acopian Center for Ornithology
And while duck nesting is common at the Promenade property — typically closer to the retention pond or at the back of the rear parking lots — center Senior General Manager Natalia Stezenko jokingly said she didn't have this on her 2024 bingo card.
Since the Promenade's April 10 announcement of her temporary residency, Promemama's popularity has taken off.
Social media posts shared that Promemama will reside at the planter for the next 25-29 days, and, as such, she needed a name.
And 102 Facebook comments and 40 Instagram replies came flooding in.
Other favorite suggestions included "Saucon Sally" and "Promenaduck," but ultimately, the office decided on Promemama, Stezenko said.
No bill for rental
Within five days, Promemama has become a hit — which might make up for the fact that she doesn't pay rent for her modern planter.
"She's very popular," Stezenko said Monday. "I joked like last week, she got more news coverage than opening of J. Crew and our announcement of Five Guys [Burgers and Fries] coming to the center."
Earlier that day, Stezenko said several customers asked where they could find Promemama.
Despite her rising popularity, there's no cause for safety concerns for Promemama. Stezenko said the team blocked off the planter, with a message asking visitors to be respectful.
"I finally went to visit her today since it’s so nice out! She is so peaceful and cute."Kate Paukovits in a Facebook comment
"I finally went to visit her today since it’s so nice out!" Kate Paukovits said in a Facebook comment. "She is so peaceful and cute."
Stezenko also said that 24/7 security will check on Promemama periodically.
"My nest and eggs are federally protected, so please do not attempt to touch, move or feed me or my eggs," a sign next to Promemama said.
So far, everyone has done just that.
Not causing a flap
Promemama hasn't had any problems, and she hardly lets out a peep after settling into her newfound fame.
Though, Stezenko said she did get a little flustered at first.
For those who can't see Promemama in-person, Stezenko said the Promenade office staff received a camera to livestream her with on Monday.
They plan to get a livestream up and running through social media and YouTube later this week.
Though the center says a mama duck will sit on her eggs for most of the day and leave her eggs covered with down for a short period of time each day to feed, Stezenko said none of the office staff has seen Promemama move.
So no one knows if she's laid any eggs yet.
The livestream should offer some clarity, as maintenance workers said they often catch her in the water fountain in the early morning, before business starts flowing in.
Promemama's eggs should hatch between May 4 and May 8, social media posts said.
Observe, don't disturb
In its social media post, The Promenade Saucon Valley also warned of feeding Promemama.
"Remember, quackers don’t need crackers!" the post said. "While it may be tempting to offer food, feeding a nesting hen often causes much more harm than good."
Peter Saenger, acopian ornithological specialist for the Acopian Center for Ornithology, said Promemama's diet likely isn't of concern for the public.
"If the duck chose to nest there, I would assume that it must have food available to it. Nothing people walking by offering the bird to eat would be healthy for it and possibly hazardous."Peter Saenger, acopian ornithological specialist for the Acopian Center for Ornithology
"Ducks choose the oddest places to nest, but the female can leave for periods of time to find food and water," Saenger said.
"If the duck chose to nest there, I would assume that it must have food available to it. Nothing people walking by offering the bird to eat would be healthy for it and possibly hazardous."
Ducks' diets typically consist of aquatic vegetation, Saenger said, so crackers and bread are far off from that.
The nonprofit volunteer organization Ducks Unlimited, which has a Pennsylvania chapter, also advises against feeding ducks foods outside of their natural diet.
"When the birds gorge themselves on bread, they stop eating their natural foods, which are much more nutritious," the chapters FAQ webpage said.
"The birds become malnourished and there have also been cases of birds choking on wads of bread."
