How did this happen…
… I just hope that this was an accident and NOT intentional by a human, if it is accidental it shows just how badly man affects wildlife without even trying, if it was deliberate then I have no words to adequately describe my feelings. Strangly this is the second Mallard I have seen with an elastic band round the neck/beak this year, I think the last one survived as an broken elastic band was found near to where I saw that affected duck.
I fed this duck with some bread and it did manage to swallow it so I am hoping that it can survive until the elastic band breaks.
On a brighter note the baby Moorhen (below) and one of his/her siblings survived the rain yesterday, and I am happier also about the Dabchicks as the water level is higher again which means that their nest will be surrounded by water for that little bit longer, giving more chance of a successful brood.
Terry