Runner Ducks on vacation
IN THE PRESS:
Dune Bird’s Runner Ducks were published by mlive.com in this article “This Up North winery has adorable Indian Runner Ducks on vineyard patrol” on Sept. 5th.
Tanda Gmiter writes “They sprint as a well-organized group. And under Winery Manager Sara Peschel’s expert guidance, they zip into Dune Bird’s vineyard each day and get to work. Their job: Using their hoover-like rounded bills to suck up slugs, Japanese beetles and other pests that invade the grape vines. It turns out, they’re really good at this.
So far this year, the colorful flock has created a two-fold career for themselves. The novelty of seeing Indian Runner Ducks in action tends to draw a crowd and has proven to be an extra “experience” for the winery’s customers. Right now, anyone at Dune Bird around noon each day gets to see the ducks being guided out of their fenced-in coop area and across the farm field, into the vineyard. They are led back to their barn around 6 p.m. each day.
The winery’s ticketed “duck tours” offered as part of the recent Traverse City Food & Wine festival sold out, with people excited to see this chatty flock on a vineyard walk. Dune Bird also offers some up-close duck viewing on a limited basis.” Read More.
Peschel says, “we’re currently no longer taking the ducks up to the vineyard daily because we’re getting closer to harvest.” The ducks are now “on vacation!” We’re told they will resume their daily patrol after harvest season is over. Please contact us anytime to plan a special visit or tour.
