By:Karenlyn Barone
The ducks have returned for the last three years to carry out the same nesting ritual, bringing Lojak more joy than the pond everycould.
It-s always the same routine, explained Lojak. The male and female come into the backyard, she lays her eggs, they stay here for about 28 days, until the chicks hatch and two days later, the mother leads the babies out of the yard.
The brazen family of squatters actually live in the Tanglewood Preserve, several hundred yards away, but in order to return her young family there, the mother duck must get them across busy Ocean Avenue.
That-s where having Papa Vinnie as their friend comes in handy. Every year, Lojak notifies the Lynbrook Police Department of the impending birth and when he sees that the mother is ready to move her family, the department sends over police officers who stop traffic on Ocean Avenue so the mother and her chicks are insured a safe crossing.
This year everything ran like clockwork. On Friday, May 7, Lojak, the police department and well-wishing neighbors gathered to watch mama duck and her ducklings make their exodus into the preserve.
