A return of Winter weather adds a new threat to staying alive on the riverside. Slim has been very attentive on the nest, while Sue continues to seek out Algae and nutrients to produce the eggs.
While Saffron and Ebony ignore the snow.
The Trust has been busy trying to assist the mother duck with her 6 remaining ducklings.
Having started with 15 she has lost 5 to the Crows and Gulls, and of course her 4 yellow ones are in the care of the Trust.
They are thriving and have now been moved into the coop with heat lamp to keep them warm along with suitable soft toy and straw !
The Mother with the 6 in the harbour has 3 visits a day, where I give them high protein Mealworm as an alternative to insects which are non existent at this time of year. With the Arctic conditions I know they would not survive otherwise.
The mother has done a great job so far and I saw her chase off a gull yesterday that go too close to her brood. However I think there is an Otter doing the rounds, for I found the carcase of another duck this morning in the harbour.
Staying alive is not easy, even for adult ducks!
2 comments:
I saw a otter in the harbour about 3 weeks ago.
Yes, They do work the Harbour, and eat ducks as well as fish !
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