ST. MICHAEL, Minn. (WCCO) – Some elementary students in St. Michael are getting quite the treat this spring with a front row seat to see a mallard nesting, waiting for her ducklings to hatch.

The female mallard duck has been coming to nest in the courtyard at Big Woods Elementary for the last three years. They know it’s the same duck because she has damaged webbing on her right leg. But each year she picks a different bush to nest in.

This year anyone can watch the nesting live through a webcam. According to the website, there are 13 eggs in her nest this year compared to 11 last year.

The eggs are expected to hatch around mid-May. After they do, the ducklings will have to be marched through the school with an escort in order to get the ducks to water. Ducklings need to be in water within 24 hours after they are hatched.

Click here to watch the live webcam.