Moat Maintenance

With Penny and Duke nesting it was time to get some overdue moat maintenance done prior to any cygnets arriving later. 

One of the big spates a few years back, burst out the side and thereby reduced the height of the moat water. This meant newly hatched cygnets getting out of the water and onto the island very difficult, the same could be said for the ducklings too. 

Shovelling and raking stones is not my ideal pastime, but it had to be done without bringing in machinery. Pity my poor arthritic shoulder though !

Penny and the ducks seemed to like the improvement, but Duke was on guard ready for action. 

Duke On Guard

Having been back only a week, Duke is thriving and getting on well with Penny. He has taken on the full mantle of responsibility for the territory and the island nesting site.

It is obvious to me he has done this many times before, knows exactly what his duties are and what to do. The spring weather is suiting all the birds right now and most of them have already started nesting. I think we might see a lot of hatched ducklings by the end of April.

Penny will be at least 15 this year, possibly 16, so maybe her egg laying capacity will be reduced, we will see.