Still Wintry

The weather is still too cold for the time of year, and we seem to be stuck with the constant Baltic breeze. It was brighter today but still cold. The duck that had 10 ducklings three days ago is now down to 4, but another Mother turned up tonight with 2 ducklings one of which she promptly lost to the Mother with 4. The tiny day old ducklings basically follow any female that looks and sounds like their Mother ! It's unusual for a duck to only have two ducklings, so I expect she started with more than that. So the latest tally, out of 4 lots totalling 26 there is 6 remaining - I suspect for not very long though, the cold and lack of insects will hasten their demise. The forecast for more Wintry weather is also bad news for the Swans hatching next week, they will have to be on guard for the hoodies and Blackback gulls - both of which have had cygnets before !