Ducklings

They are starting to appear!

Spotted Mrs Duck with 16 young the other day!

Yesterday, saw Mrs Lightcolourduck with 2 babies. Last night, went out to chase away a cat and saw her with 4 young. She clambered up the river bank and settled behind a tree to spend the night. Two of the young managed to climb up with her. I watched the other two struggle again and again to climb up and eventually gave up and huddled together at the edge of the water, where they would have surely perished.

I donned wellingtons and waded in to put them with their mother. She was startled and jumped into the water and headed off down river with her two stronger ducklings. I sent the other two after her.

I was so relieved to see the family still all together this morning!

So now we are just waiting for Henry (should maybe be Henrietta?) with her young and whether Mrs Olderduck has another brood. 

What exciting (and worrying!) times.....