Cute Ducklings

We have over 26 recently hatched ducklings on the lower river just now. Weather conditions are not in their favour with cold temperatures and a spate river. 

Hatching can be a real hit or miss situation determining their chances of survival. 

The Trust tries to mitigate this by ensuring they get sufficient protein to tide them through the hard times. 

This evening I was gratified that a man and his daughter brought me a duckling they found at the Maggot, which I promptly returned to the mother at the Swans Island coinciding with feeding time. Ducklings are so irresistibly cute!

Cute Ducklings

The September brood are coping with the new river environment in spite of the recent spate conditions. 

Was a bit worried when I didn't see them yesterday, but today mother duck turned up at feeding time with all 9 ducklings.
They were eating like ravenous piranhas with the drop in temperature and high water.

 After stuffing their necks with Mealworm, porridge oats, and mixed bird seeds, they settled down for a nap. 
At first on the recently created shingle bed in the middle of the river, then under the bridge.

Short movie clip below, drink after the feed . 

Cute Ducklings

Some cute duckling pics, 

short video clip below, preening after they had their bath.

Drilled Ducklings

Sometimes luck and timing just catches the shot right. This was the case today when the mother with eight ducklings (she lost one since yesterday evening), gathered them together on a bank. It looks like the one in the corner is getting the other four to stand to attention !