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Once again the Crows have wiped out the entire river population of Ducklings in the past week, so far all 4 hatchings that I'm aware of have been taken by the Crows.
Two days ago I rescued another 2 ducklings that were about to be taken, having seen one of their siblings being picked off the surface of the moat by a crow.
The Mother was nowhere to be seen and most likely chased by the single Drakes, leaving the ducklings to the mercy of the crows. It was more than I could stand so added them to the 8 recently incubated ones from an abandoned nest. They have been accepted since there was only about three days difference in age.
Meanwhile the mother with 9 is doing well in the safety of the aviary. These ducklings are the only survivors in what has been a devastating couple of weeks on the lower river. For those of you who haven't managed to see any this year so far...a short clip of the ones in the brooder below.
Another crisp day and a distinctive wind chill, but dry and pleasant at least. The ducklings are doing well and for the most part sleeping and eating like most baby creatures do. Getting them into a routine in order to clean out the brooder etc and reduce the workload on me, for it will consume more of my time as they get older. They are content to snuggle up to the pic of Mum with the heat lamp directly above, it's as near as I can reproduce home from home.
Morning means bathtime while I clean out the brooder, refresh the water and feed tray, and clean towel bedding, easier and less messy than straw ! This allows them to preen and dry themselves off before breakfast and another sleep.(short video below). I checked on their Mum today and she is back with her partner, he is a hybrid of the old blondie, hence the reason we have two lighter coloured ducklings in this brood.
With high tide, the seal made it's usual visit searching for early kelts or late salmon, he gave me the once over before diving. The head was almost human looking !
The heads of the ducklings are very very cute, but will also include a Salmon I saw jumping earlier this year, and the Swans in this post too !
