Two New Broods

We may have missed out on Cygnets this year, but the duckling broods are certainly making up for it ! 

Today I can report seeing two more new broods of 12 and 6, and I expect even more to follow. Currently we have 33 tiny ducklings on the lower river and 20 grown ones nearly 9 weeks old. 

With the heavy summer growth, it's shaping up to be a bumper year for the Mallards. Many of these know me from previous years and view me not only as a food source, but as a trusted ally who will keep the drakes away.

Have to watch where I put my feet as some of the ducklings have a tendency to stand on my Wellie's.  The mothers are happy to form a crèche and leave one in charge whilst feeding !  Short movie clip below, of experienced mother with ducklings helped into the river a week ago.

Two New Broods

The ducklings have as usual been devastated by the predators, 77 killed so far with 8 surviving and another 12 that I recently returned to the river.

However the season is not yet over and another two broods have shown up.

With better weather and more cover available, perhaps more of these will survive the onslaught of the Heron , Crows and Seagulls !