HAPPY CHRISTMAS

A very Happy Christmas and New Year to all my viewers.  A Special Thanks to Trust members and George for keeping the birds fed during my illness, good health to all!

Bertha's Babes Successful Release

After 8 weeks sanctuary with the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust, the nine saved ducklings were successfully returned to the river today.

With the help of friend and trust member George Stephen, we introduced the ducklings to the lower river where they relished in fresh water and freedom !

Within a short time they were already approaching some other resident ducks, and sampling the river bottom. Six are females and three drakes, which is a welcome change from the many predominant males.

Later with Penny leading the way, the Swans decided to avoid walking over the pesky shingle

and had a fly - run to the Merryton bridge for their feed.

Journeys End

After an extended journey of two and half weeks , the Links Mother duck with the first 15 ducklings finally made it to the river.

The detour via the River Trust Aviary, will at least have given the ducklings a chance of survival. 

The second brood of 13 ducklings are now down to one after 6 days in the river, It's tough being a duck. With the help of Trust member George, we transported the mother Duck and her 15 ducklings to a safe spot away from the single Drakes. 

This should give her a chance to choose whether to take the ducklings upstream or down the river without unwanted attention from the drakes. It will be interesting to see where she goes, and how many survive over the coming weeks.

George tells me he spotted another duck with 5 ducklings near the granites this morning, lets hope some of them survive.

UPDATE. I saw the ducklings tonight minus one already, and the mother who had 13 has lost them all. Short vid of the ducklings below.