Trust Rescue Mission

 Panic stations this afternoon when a local resident, Eddie Lang, found a lost duckling in Claymore gardens.

Knowing it was most likely one of a newly hatched brood, I asked Eddie to have a look around the area again. Thankfully an hour later, he discovered the mother duck with 7 ducklings happy to get her lost duckling back !  The task now was to get her across the Town safely to the River. Eddie and myself walked behind at a pace to suit the duck and her ducklings. The Traffic on the main road was back to the usual busy A96 but we made it across, up Douglas street, then across the high street, to the Town square - finally down the steps to the riverside! 

This duck has successfully reared several broods over the years in Glebe road, her favoured spot! However the road crossings are deadly, as we know from Doris experience 5 weeks ago! Anyhow I checked the river tonight and she was there with the ducklings.

 A successful outcome, and thanks to Eddie for his help and the photos and video below.

 

 

Glebe Road Ducklings Released

After 7 weeks the Glebe road rescued ducklings were finally released. 

Hopefully they will avoid being taken by the Great black back gull.

 They seem to have no problem integrating with all the other ducks on the river and enjoy their new found abundance of fresh water. 

Meanwhile the cygnets are head nodding and starting to see who's who.

Another Glebe Road Rescue

Once again a Nairn Resident comes to the rescue and informed me that they had a Mother duck with 4 surviving ducklings in their garden.
Glebe Road seems to be a favoured nesting spot for the ducks, it does back onto Viewfield with many shrub filled gardens, quiet safe, and ideal for hiding a nest.

Young Ellen Gardner was a big help while trying to capture the Mother duck and her brood, trying not to spook the Mother so much that she would fly off and leave her babies. We managed after some near misses to get all the family, then back to the coop for warmth, food and water. Ellen said that the gulls and crows had already taken some of the brood, which is not surprising since all the ones hatched on the lower river have been taken with no survivors.

As it happens I will be releasing the rescued Blondie harbour street duck and her brood of 9 later this week, this will allow me the room to keep this new brood for a few weeks to give them a chance of survival.

Glebe Road Rescue

Thanks to Mr and Mrs Cameron of Glebe Road, I was able to help rescue a mother duck and her 9 ducklings today.

This is the second brood that has come from this area, and seems a favoured spot to nest by some ducks.

Quick thinking by Mr and Mrs Cameron by providing water and food on their patio for the mother and her brood, then contacting me has helped save this fortunate duck family. The previous mother from this area was run over trying to cross King street some weeks ago, a fate this Mother has been spared.

After a donation from Mr and Mrs Cameron to provide for the ducklings feed and care for the next few weeks,  the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust is happy to grant them a years Membership. The duck family will be released back to the river when it is safe to do so. This Mother duck is known to me and is one of our elder ladies. 

After a quick check of her new facilities she had a bath and allowed the ducklings to enjoy their new temporary home.