Calm Before The Storm

We have been lucky avoiding the worst of the winter Storms so far. With a slight frost today, and almost no wind this morning, it made for a tranquil scene on the river. 

This will be short lived, as the forecast is for another storm overnight.

 Meanwhile, the Trust resident ducks are also sitting out the winter in a sheltered and tranquil garden. 

Disco our resident disabled duck suffers from arthritis in her left leg, now treating her with a weeks course of anti inflammatory medication. She is at least 7 years old and has ear marked Ebony as a potential mate for next spring....bad leg or no ! 

Saffron Ebony Progress

Saffron and Ebony, our 2 rare rescued ducklings are thriving in the care of the Trust, with Disco as guardian. 

Saffron is radiant turning whiter every day, and taking a photo difficult with the light exposure. Today she showed the first signs of her gender, and she is Female, I think Ebony is also female, which means we have 3 females in care ! 

Disco is our permanent resident with a broken wing, Saffron and Ebony's future yet to be decided ! I think they are both hybrid throwbacks, a cross between a Mallard and a Khaki Campbell - Saffron being a white Campbell.  

They appear every few years, but sadly are taken by predators before they ever get a chance to survive, they are such beautiful ducks too. These pair will be given every chance to grow and survive. Short video below.

Saffron And Ebony

Recent new Trust member Louise, called the new saved ducklings "Saffron and Ebony". I thought these were very apt names for our bonnie wee ducklings.

 My efforts to get Disco to foster them are having mixed results so far. 

The drawback is Doris and her 10 ducklings who are intrigued by Saffron, and Disco is reluctant to embrace them...so far! 

All credit to Saffron, who is trying to get closer but threatened by Disco's  occasional warning jab to keep her distance. 

Don't know what sex either of the ducklings are, and if this has any bearing on Disco's attitude, but have a feeling that Saffron is going to win in the end! 

Series of shots show the reluctant Disco, and the beautiful and persistent pair of ducklings.

Time To Go !

Disco's 15 ducklings are ready for release tomorrow morning The Trust has given them a start that few Mallard broods would get on the river.

They have been well fed and kept safe but with the expert help of Disco, their Mum. Today she was giving them final instructions from the edge of the garden pool, see short video below.

Easter Eggs

Disco the disabled duck has finally begun to incubate her eggs .....all 16 of them !!!!

Had the chance to inspect the nest when she came off briefly for a wash and bite to eat this morning.
She is quite a Madam and enjoying life to the full, all being well we should see some ducklings in a months time.
She will rear them in as natural a state as possible until they are safe enough to be transferred to the river when about 9 weeks old.

The six she had last season were successfully integrated into the river population at that age.

Coldest Winter

My earlier gut feeling about this going to be a bad winter seems to have come to fruition. Must be the coldest winter for at least the past 10 years. The relentless Siberian wind is bone chilling if outdoors for any length of time.

Even with the pond heater, I have to break the ice off the pond every morning to allow Disco and Limpy access.

Ground is frozen solid and Disco is desperate for grass roots and soil, so have to pour hot water on small area to allow her to get at it.

Meanwhile the Pied Wagtail is glad of the dried mealworm sprinkled on the pond every day. This continuing severe weather will be fatal to a lot of birds, so be sure to give them food and water !