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Final development stages of the rescued ducklings is now underway, with the wing flight feathers starting to grow.
It's hardly surprising that so many ducklings never reach maturity, they take so long to fledge - about 8 weeks.
The wings are the very last part to develop, and I don't release them into the wild before then, otherwise they fall prey to Black backed gulls and other predators.
Without a mother, they need to be able to fly away from danger within days of going back to the river.
I've given them the best possible start, short video below.
Having fostered out Disco's babes, the rescued ducklings now have a taste of freedom in the garden and pond.
Disco however has not taken kindly to her territory being taken over by them.
Accepting them is going to take a wee while, but should happen as they grow.
"Lucky" the lone egg incubator duckling is now thriving and catching up with the others.
Short video clip below.
My Thanks to all those enquiring after my health, so far so good.
The last Day of July and still waiting on Summer ! This has been the poorest summer weather I can ever remember - surely we will see some blue skies before the clocks change !!
With cold nights the river birds have been keen for their food and acting as though autumn has arrived.
The cygnets are growing fast, and now look like young swans, wing development is now the final part of the growing process, ready for flying lessons in September.
The rescued ducklings are also in good order and enjoying the luxury of a cosy coop during the chilly nights.
Blondie is growing her new flight feathers and still has her 4 remaining brood after losing the white duckling and 4 others to the predators.
It's Curtains for the pigeon.......as well as the fireplace and bookcase !
The pigeon with the broken leg is continuing to improve and now able to put it's weight on it. Looks like it will be able to join it's friends in a few days time.
Meanwhile the cygnets wings are developing well and should be capable of flying lessons in a few weeks time.
The rescued ducklings are nearly 4 weeks old and enjoying life, (short video below ).
Having a flood last week was bad enough for August, but now the temperature has taken a dive, and feels positively Autumnal today. I am currently caring for two injured pigeons, one with a broken leg and the other with a broken wing.
The one with the broken leg is now able to use it with a limp,( Short clip below) this is better than when I found it hopping around on one leg. A course of antibiotics and anti- inflammatory medication, combined with splints seems to be doing the job.
Pardon the pun, but this is the most patient Pigeon I have ever cared for and has been very compliant when receiving treatment, ( as the photos show ). The rescued ducklings are doing fine with ample food supplies to provide warmth, their river cousins are not so lucky with last weeks flood cleaning out all the river weed.
This years Trust grain bill is likely to be higher than last. All donations will be gratefully received!
Sadly 2 of the rescued ducklings that I released have been killed in the harbour yesterday. With this weeks high spring tides I saw 5 of the ducklings up at the Merryton bridge, and thought maybe they had just been separated after leaving the harbour. This has been my main fear after their release, that they would fall victim to predators before they got river wise to the dangers.
I released them before the spring tides so that they would gain a weeks experience before the high tides during the night. The harbour can be a safe place, but also a death trap if used by the Otters, Mink or Seals for hunting.
The good news is that the other 5 are now close to their Mum, and Sari and Joe are still alive !
If they can survive the next 5 days tides, they should be pretty well integrated with all the other ducks and aware of all the dangers.
I hope our new
Trust members have now received your membership cards posted recently.
Was overjoyed today to find the 7 rescued ducklings that I put in the river last Wednesday. I had not seen them at all until today in the Harbour, I can get a good nights sleep now !
There was also a Red breasted Merganser doing a spot of fishing and preening, and the Cygnets were on their own, with Popeye and Penny having coupled them off and moved up to the island.
The three remaining cygnets are in perfect health and getting that little bit whiter every week. The cold snap sees all the birds looking for food, and the rescued ducklings were being eyed up by a crow just outside the aviary this morning ! They are now a month old and twice the size they would have been in the wild - not that they would have lasted two days anyway. Their oil glands are doing the business and providing full waterproofing ! Short video below of Sari and Joe having a bath, they are the two light coloured ones ! ( Named in honour of my Canadian allies )
I have just received an update on the rats situation from Mr Alan Bentley, the rats appear to be taking the bait laid down by the rat catcher. I have checked the area myself every day, and have seen no rat tracks for the past 4 days. I only hope the bait is not available to the numerous small birds in their vital winter undergrowth !
