Unravelling the mystery
On a walk near some flooded meadows and reeds I found an eggshell. I´m not sure if it´s from a swan or a goose, both are known to breed there and both the size and colour of the eggs can be almost alike.
![](https://wildnismentor.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CT1.jpg)
![](https://wildnismentor.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CT2.jpg)
![](https://wildnismentor.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CT3-1.jpg)
But the time of year and surrounding tracks presented a nice puzzle – it was much too early in spring to be hatched already. More likely a predator had snatched it from the nest.
I´m actually quite frustrated with the pandemic and accompanying restrictions due to which my urban kindergarden group couldn´t go on a trip to the forest for more than a year.
But why not bring the mystery inside?
I thought this could prove an excellent opportunity to introduce field guides to the children. So, I took some pictures of the tracks and the egg and the next morning found my little trackers and me engrossed in a field guide and wondering what might have happened out there.
![](https://wildnismentor.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CT4.jpg)
Our best guess is a racoon stealing and eating the egg. Maybe you can come up with a better idea? CT