The Willow Dale duck pond has been a local sanctuary for community members of all sorts for several years. Now, some of those members may be in danger — the ducks.

This winter, Bradford locals are expressing concern over the safety and survival of the ducks who call the duck pond home.

“As of Dec. 14, over 95 percent of the pond is frozen over,” according to Dave Cibula in a note sent to The Era this week. “This leaves very little open water for the ducks to escape coyotes or any other predator looking for an easy prey. Soon, the pond will be all ice, and the ducks will have nowhere to go to survive the winter which, if this week’s weather is any indication, is going to be harsh this year.”

The duck pond is located along Route 346, a few miles west of downtown Bradford. Previously, Bradford businessman Steve Cavallaro was caretaker for many of the pond’s ducks.

Cavallaro told The Era that, of the many that reside at Willow Dale, only one of 17 ducks survived the winter in 2015. As a result, local residents took it upon themselves to get involved and raised a total of 19 new ducks to join the lone mallard duck that survived.

However, Cavallaro has spent several years looking after the ducks, and insisted that more help would be needed in caring for them.

“It has to be a community effort,” he stated previously.

“Not only will the ducks be lacking shelter once the pond completely freezes over, but the ducks will also need food to survive, and personal care,” Cibula said. “This time of year, there are no visitors offering them food, and the ducks resort to being on the side of the pond away from the road, yet still vulnerable.”

Currently, the ducks are huddling around the only small open water spot opposite the road.

“I hate to see these tame ducks become dinner for a coyote, or starve to death,” Cibula commented. “Living in the city, I can leave food for them, but have nowhere to keep them for the winter. I hope someone can step up and save these tame ducks before it is too late, like has been done in the past.”

In 2011, Cavallaro spearheaded a community effort to restore the pond, which is adjacent to the Willow Dale Cemetery on West Washington Street. He has been maintaining it ever since, but said the job is “difficult.”

The pond’s feathery inhabitants face multiple dangers, which include predators and traffic.

Cavallaro said many of the ducks have been killed by passing cars.

He explained that when it rains, the ducks like to eat the nightcrawlers that come out, sometimes walking across the road to find treats. Not only have predators eaten some of the ducks, but smaller animals such as possums, skunks and raccoons will eat duck eggs from nests, which prevents the ducks from being able to raise ducklings and keep the duck population going.

“The winters here are very harsh for our ducks at the Willow Dale duck pond,” Linda L. Platko stated on the Willow Dale duck pond Facebook page. “For those who love animals and are in great physical shape, it would be helpful if the ice could be chopped. Ducks need the water to survive and to get away from their predators. They also need to be sheltered, if possible, and of course, fed the proper food. Unfortunately, bread is not going to help them survive these winter months.”

Her advice — research what ducks eat before attempting to feed them.

According to Avian Veterinarian, pond ducks can be fed corn, duck pellets (sold online and at pet stores), lettuce and other greens (preferably torn up into edible pieces), (defrosted) frozen peas, rolled or instant oats and seeds (including birdseed or other varieties).

As Cibula noted, the pond restoration seems to have been a welcome improvement to the local community. And the ducks at Willow Dale duck pond add to not only the atmosphere, but the touch of nature that gives Bradford its “special mark” on the map.

From weddings, to senior pictures and prom-goers alike, as well as passersby from all ages and areas around, the pond is “part of the community,” he insisted. “And so are the ducks.”

Reportedly, there is still a Friends of Willow Dale account at CNB Bank for anyone wishing to contribute.