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Original poster

NOT what I expected to wake up to this morning...

969 replies

AlanThePig · 18/10/2020 15:12

Some of you might recall we have a rather large pond in our garden. On it we have a pair of ducks. First day of lockdown appeared ten, beautiful ducklings. They grew up, flew away and that was that until next spring.

Except I woke up to this......
There are ten more (seven in this photo) and I can only assume the warm weather has thoroughly confused her.

I'm now going spend the next few months fretting over bloody wildlife.

NOT what I expected to wake up to this morning...
OP posts:
Thread gallery
87
Soubriquet · 28/10/2020 12:51

I must say, I’ve never really seen the Male hanging out with the female and young

Usually I see a shag and then they are off to the pub never to be seen again!

Dreading2020sSeasonFinale · 28/10/2020 12:17

Ha ha ha! I just love your Simon Le Bone, but yep, I'd do the same. I have a ghoul hanging beside my front door and almost dies last night when going out to the bin when it surprised me by leaping out to attack (aka the wind blew it a bit)

Original poster
AlanThePig · 28/10/2020 12:08

@Dreading2020sSeasonFinale

Sadly it's why they have such big clutches isn't it? Spares so a few survive. Awful but nature is as cruel as it is beautiful.

Here's hoping the magnificent seven do well.

I seem to recall reading they average about 4 surviving. We had ten last time (11 to start and one just vanished like this one) so I think we were probably a bit lucky there.

They are almost too big to play the lily pad hopping game now as they sink them. Very mild again, I've just been putting a few ghosts in the tree wearing just a T Shirt.

DH told me this morning he forgot Simon Le Bone was there last night and nearly gave himself heart failure. Wait until he spots the wraith in the arbour Grin

OP posts:
RandomMess · 28/10/2020 12:03

Awww this is so lovely to read.

Our boy cat is doing his best to keep down the grey squirrel numbers. I think by the time the reds get to where we live our cat will be deceased or at least more incapable of catching anything. He is such a klutz but despite his bell we get the occasional gift but we do wonder if it's more by luck than virtue...

Hopefully they are enjoying the dismal weather???

Bargebill19 · 28/10/2020 12:00

They are growing quickly, thank you op !

Dreading2020sSeasonFinale · 28/10/2020 11:58

Sadly it's why they have such big clutches isn't it? Spares so a few survive. Awful but nature is as cruel as it is beautiful.

Here's hoping the magnificent seven do well.

Original poster
AlanThePig · 28/10/2020 11:50

Ah there we go. The magnificent seven.

To be fair I wasn't expecting any to get this far at this time of year so we're not doing so badly.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlanThePig · 28/10/2020 11:49

For some reason I cant post pics today. Trying again...

NOT what I expected to wake up to this morning...
OP posts:
VinylDetective · 28/10/2020 11:49

Or it had until I saw your updates. Hope the rest survive unscathed.

VinylDetective · 28/10/2020 11:48

This thread’s made my day.

Original poster
AlanThePig · 28/10/2020 11:44

More sad news this morning. There are now only seven.

The only good thing I can take from this is Egwina isn't stressed, there has been no frantic flapping and calling from either her or Duncan so I'm leaning more toward it dying naturally than being taken. Her reaction to the two being nabbed by the cat was extreme so I'm sure if something had taken this one we'd know.

Oh well. Onwards.

OP posts:
Missandra · 27/10/2020 13:58

I’ve just been reading a cv thread and felt a bit fed up (need to stay away from them) but this has really cheered me up. Thank you so much @AlanThePig for sharing.

Henio · 27/10/2020 13:39

Omg they are adorable ❤️

PrincessFiorimonde · 27/10/2020 13:33

What a lovely thread (apart from the cat intervention, of course).

Love the photos.

Thanks, OP!

PerseverancePays · 27/10/2020 13:10

Thank you, thank you, thank you, this is fab!

NeedToKnow101 · 27/10/2020 12:44

Love baby ducks, so lovely to watch them grow!

NeedToKnow101 · 27/10/2020 12:43

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Oh poor thing, she looks fed up, doesn't she Grin

Bit projection there! 😂😂

Original poster
AlanThePig · 27/10/2020 12:41

Horrible day here, good weather for ducks though I guess, fortunately its also still quite mild. Still have 8 and mum seems to have gotten a little more risk aware too, gathering them close when the heron visits. Not that he seems even slightly interested in them so I think I might be worrying too much over him.

She's led them to a huge puddle on the driveway earlier where they happily splashed for ten minutes, they then came to the door and shouted for food and are now having a snooze on the platform.

Not seen bastard cat since DH's little run in yesterday morning. Hopefully it stays that way.

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 27/10/2020 09:42

I've only just found this thread but blimey, (apart from losing the two little ducklings), this has had me beaming from ear to ear!!!!
Those ducks are lucky to have you 🦆🦆🦆

MrsCrosbyNRTB · 27/10/2020 08:01

I really really wish I lived on your road! Loving this thread. We’re in a really surburban / residential area but we have a beautiful pond in a little park at the end of the road. It has a duck island, lots of duck houses and a little pier. I love it so much - it was a factor in buying this house in fact. Over the years we’ve spent lots of time there, my children loved it when they were little.

Mumdiva99 · 27/10/2020 07:22

I have loved this thread and will tune in for updates. Thank you. They have really grown quickly.

Horsemad · 27/10/2020 06:36

Haha, clever babies! 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

Sunnydaysstillhere · 26/10/2020 13:12

You are an officially trained up dduck slave now op!!

Bargebill19 · 26/10/2020 13:03

🤣🤣🤣🤣 they have learnt !!!!

isthismylifenow · 26/10/2020 12:57

@Dreading2020sSeasonFinale

Oh what a shame! Still, as you say, Mama Duck will have learned a very sad yet valuable lesson that as a wild animal she should already know. Caution always. Constant vigilance!

Despite this sad turn of events I have to say, your post is a breath of fresh air on MN. It's just lovely to see something so sweet and heartwarming here. Thank you for brightening up my day.

Sadly our local duck pond in the village has been repeatedly attacked with bricks and rocks by nasty, feral children. Whole clutches of eggs were smashed by these rotten teens who's parents are well aware of their little darling's reputations yet still let them out every night. I'd take a cat any day over them. At least it's following it's hunting instincts and not just a cruel, malicious human being doing it for kicks.

Seriously, that is just awful!

I just despair of things some days.....