Counting your Ducklings
There are three sets of Mallard ducklings on my local river. It’s a struggle to keep track of them. For a start, they keep growing and I don’t recognise them after a few days. I find counting the chicks helps, then I know which mother is which and which family I’m looking at.
That’s hijacked if they have the same number of chicks or if a predator gets one. There are plenty of hungry Herring Gulls starved of KFC looking for a meal.
It’s also problematic if they decide to huddle. Just how am I meant to count these?
It’s easier when they get up and run to meet their alarmed mother.
Have you seen the size of those wing buds?
More Ducklings
Duckling time It's duckling time and a splishy and splashy grand parade of cuteness is heading my way. I think there are… read more
2021 highlights of a wilder Devon life – part 2 Much of the nature I've enjoyed in Devon this year has been close to home. It's been a short walk… read more
Golden ducklings There's something wonderful about the light this evening. It's very warm and very clear. There's been a lot of rain… read more
Duckling They are symbolic of spring; cute fluffy ducklings This parade of Mallard ducklings were barely larger than the eggs that… read more
There once was an ugly duck. A very ugly duck. You know the story. There's an ugly duckling which turns into a swan. I don't need to go all Hans… read more
Ducks in filth Having ten children is hard. Ask my mum; she was one of ten. It's a constant struggle to keep them… read more
Dinosaurs fly among us If you've ever wondered what happened to the dinosaurs, here they are, all around us. These Mallard Ducklings have hatched… read more