This is the busiest time of year for all rescue and rehab centres around the country, and the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust has it's share at the minute too.
Currently caring for 15 ducklings, one mother duck with a broken wing, and 3 sick pigeons.
Nine of the saved vulnerable ducklings will be released into the river in a week or two, the mother duck with her 4 ducklings only when it's safe to do so.
The two recently hatched ones in 2 months time.
The Pigeons seem to be making progress fighting the Paramyxovirus.
Vera should have been named Vinnie since it turns out to be a male, and he makes it plain to the other two. He has made great progress and am sure is beating the virus now, he can now feed himself and no longer has neck torsion spasms or cartwheels across the floor. After 4 weeks he is no longer in danger of dying from the virus.
The remaining two I still have to rehydrate and tube feed. I have been working full time keeping on top of the situation, who said retirement is easy !!
The latest river duckling figures are 55 fatalities due to predators, and 28 surviving to date. The current cold weather does not help !
