The Southside Reformed Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Ind., had some interesting visitors this spring. For the fourth year, a pair of Mallard ducks have nested in a clump of lavender in the church’s quiet courtyard, which is only accessible by air and through the church building.

“The drake drops in once in a while, but generally stands watch somewhere else around the property,” said Gordon Keddie, the church’s pastor.

People are kept out of the courtyard while the ducks are there, but Pastor Keddie said “the little kids, especially, are occasionally allowed to take a peek.”

When the eggs hatch, the ducklings must be escorted through the church to the outside world by Sharon Porter, the church secretary. Porter “is always the first to spot the ducklings milling around,” Pastor Keddie said.

In order to accomplish this feat, preparations are made so the ducklings can get into the church, before being steered through it.

“We think they waddle off to a drainage pond a block north of the church,” Keddie said. “But we have never seen hide nor hair of any of them until Mom shows up the next year and brings up another 8-12 ducklings.”