Just a very quick trip down the Slea today to try and see the Ducklings that Graham mentioned in his last comment. I found them…
… but could not count how many have survived (I was told there were 13 originally). I just hope they can survive the bad storm we are supposed to get tonight and tomorrow.
Terry
Hi Terry,
For your information I have just returned from a walk along the river and I think I saw 12 mallard chicks with their mother on the water between the Gym bridge and Cogglesford Mill. I also saw 3 Dabchicks but no Coot. Regards Graham
Hi Graham, you beat me to it as I was about to post that I had a very quick look this morning and saw all 13 Ducklings at about 11am, so they at least all survived the storm/night
I did also see a dead Mallard which I presume was killed by a number of males trying to mate with her and drowning her. Yesterday I witnessed about 5 males onto one female but she managed (with a little help from me attracting the males attention) to survive. If there is reincarnation and you get a choice, DONT come back as a Female Duck – they have such a hard time at this time of year, 25% of all females are killed by over eager males each year.
Terry