We now have 13 Ducklings, so it looks like we have lost 1, but mum is doing well to have just lost the 1 over the last couple of days, I hope the weather isnt too cold over Easter as the forcast is for frosts.
I saw ‘Lucky’, ‘Stiff Legs’ and ‘One eye’ this morning but I have been told that yesterday a dog got hold of a Duck near Cogglesford Mill, apparently it was ‘rescued’ but injured, it eventually swam away, I just hope he/she wasn’t hurt too much and survives. I do not blame the dog because its the OWNERS responsibility to make sure it is under control at all times and if it goes for wildlife then it should be on a lead when anywhere near wildlife. If the dog that did this has been identified correctly then it has done this before, how do we make more owners take responsibility for their dogs – I know what I would do but that isn’t printable. I do believe (and hope) though that in the not too distant future ALL dogs will have to be on a lead in public areas. Its a case of just a few owners spoiling it for the rest.
Here is one from the Archives and shows a Coot being attacked by two intruders a couple of years ago. The Coot that is almost completely under water got out of this predicament and eventually chased off his attackers. I got quite ‘friendly’ with this Coot and he used to come to me for food, he mated but just before the eggs hatched he was killed, most predators kill to eat but in this case his body was just left in the river, so to me (although I have no proof) the most likely reason was (sadly) another attack by a dog 
Terry