Successful Release - Disco's Ducklings

After 2 months careful nurturing, it was time to release Disco's 10 ducklings to the wild. 

These ducklings are the result of Ebony and Disco mating earlier in the spring. They are special in the sense that they are likely to be carrying the white genes that produce some attractive white ducks. 

Only one of the 10 turned out to be white, but the others will most likely carry the genes too. Hopefully this will create duck diversity on the river. Short video clip below.

Ebony Reunited

Pleasant surprise today when I identified the Drake escorting the 2 white ducks on the riverside.

                  It was Ebony, who I returned to the river  some weeks ago, when  the 4 white ducks were only a few weeks old. 

Obviously they knew and recognised each other from their time in the garden together. 

This is good news, as they need some heavy duty protection around the swans island drakes. 

Ducks Turn White

The pair of golden ducklings hatched last month in the incubator have now turned white, they are looking good.

 Although the last one to hatch has been the weakest and a little slow, 

this gives me cause for concern but I hope it catches up before too long.

Missing

The Beautiful white drake is missing, I fear the worst ! He went missing Tuesday night, and now only his sister is left out of the 3 beautiful white ducks that I put in the river back in June. High tide during the hours of darkness seems to be the most dangerous time for the ducks, I think the Otters and Mink have easier access to the lower river. The beauty of the ducks white plumage is a big handicap during the hours of darkness, and reduces their chances of survival. She has no family members left, and will have to find a strong alert mate quickly. The first white duck also went missing during darkness and high tide. 
These ducks are the offspring of my remarkable Mallard whose nest was washed away and I reared until they could fly, It is a tragedy !

What a Fluke !

It was a test of endurance yesterday venturing out to feed the Swans and ducks, the wind was ferocious and the rain relentless. All the wildlife had gathered at the island, the only haven in the river where they could avoid the worst of the flood and storm. Today was a big improvement but the river is still in flood, and the wildlife glad to be fed. The two white ducks were dabbling along the edge, when the drake caught a wee fluke (flounder), he was nipping at it for a while but his sister was keen to have a go. She grabbed it and proceeded to soften it up, eventually swallowing it. (Short video below). Although reared by me they are learning to hunt and make use of the river.

Autumn Arrives

Autumnal air sweeps across the country, and a new urgency prompts the birds to feed themselves up for the coming winter. The mother duck with the 5 late ducklings is down to 3,  even at a month old I suspect the hoodie crows got the last two. The cygnets are now 4 months old, and Popeye has regrown his new wing feathers and should be able to fly again by next week. Be ready to observe some short flights along the shore soon ! Some love lessons given out to the cygnets on reaching 4 months old today, short video showing the ducks creating a cacophony of sound below, including the 4 wee call ducks together as usual. The white ducks are beautiful and at last accepted by the Swans !

Acceptance

The swans initial antagonism towards the white ducks has finally subsided to a level of acceptance, that they are in fact ducks and no threat to their territory. Thank heavens for that, makes for a more relaxed duck population. The Cygnets meanwhile still growing fast and looking like young swans.

Recognition ?

Today got me wondering if the Mother of the 3 white ducks recognises her offspring, It's a wee bit uncanny how she seems to want to be close to them.( she is in the foreground) They are beautiful enough to make a swan jealous !