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

[AlanThePig]

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.

@moonbells

When do the males get that amazing little curly tail feather? Before or after they get the shiny head feathers?

Local duck pond ducklings never seem to be visible when they're in the scruffy teen phase... probably hanging around on pond corners somewhere being belligerent.

They usually go through a bit moult in August and emerge late September looking handsome with both glorious heads and cute little tails. At that point it's hard to tell the difference between males and females.

Usually ducklings would be born in the spring, go through the moult late summer and emerge looking fabulous, but with this being so out of season I have no idea what will happen, or even if I'll get to see it as I assume they will fledge by then.

I’ve just read the whole thread....it’s awesome! You’re doing such a great job, and they’re so cute.
The part with the cat reminds me of my dad. There were blackbirds nesting in his garden, and he heard one of them at the back door calling for him. He went out and walked across the garden with the little bird at his feet the whole way. There was a cat near the nest, so my dad chased it away while the blackbirds danced around nearby.

Fab thread.
This is just an excuse so bi can find it again.
Keep up the good work Duck Gran!

Amazing you are so lucky

@magicstar1

I’ve just read the whole thread....it’s awesome! You’re doing such a great job, and they’re so cute. The part with the cat reminds me of my dad. There were blackbirds nesting in his garden, and he heard one of them at the back door calling for him. He went out and walked across the garden with the little bird at his feet the whole way. There was a cat near the nest, so my dad chased it away while the blackbirds danced around nearby.

I confess I have a small bucket of ice cold water just outside the front door and have successfully soaked killer cat twice over the last week. I think he's getting the message.

The blackbirds sound amazing. Funny how nature seems to trust us sometimes. We don't tend to get many smaller birds, mostly big buggers like rooks and pigeons that keep the little ones away. That said, we do have a Kingfisher visit from time to time and he's a joy to watch, though almost impossible to photograph 😁

That's a great update photo @AlanThePig - thank you.
I can really see how they've grown and developed in the last couple of weeks.

This is the most heartwarming thread on Mumsnet and is a joy to read.

love this thread

How are they today OP?

@Cavagirl

How are they today OP?

All good! Egwina been here all day but not seen Duncan. Quite cold here today so all have been spending a lot of time huddling.

Accidentally sank one when I chucked a large handful of food in earlier, in my defence it was dusk and I didn't see him 😂

Chipping in today how much I've enjoyed this thread; good, bad and ugly!

Ah excellent!
Did Egwina not disappear for her nighttime dalliance??

@Cavagirl

Ah excellent! Did Egwina not disappear for her nighttime dalliance??

No she’s been here all day and was still here when I nipped out about 8pm. Not seen Duncan today though so maybe he was the bad influence.

DH has been reading up about flightless ducks, the traditional white ones I think. He’s said he’d like a pair of them. I asked if they would need care, he assured me not.
I asked about ducklings and he told me that we’d need to collect their eggs daily so none hatched. “So they need care then?” Says I. DH nods and replied “a bit”. A bit would be dragging in a duck house daily and emptying it.
I’ve politely declined.

I assume they are not born flightless and need clipping. Besides which it goes against everything “keep it natural” I want for the pond.

I think he just gets carried away being the duckfather bless him.

This has been a lovely thread to read - can I suggest ‘Duck Tales’ for the name of the next thread?

@DCIHoops

This has been a lovely thread to read - can I suggest ‘Duck Tales’ for the name of the next thread?

I loved that show. I'm hoping nothing major will happen that requires a new thread until at least March 😂

That fits in so well with my idea to call the remaining ducklings Donald, Huey, Dewey, Louie...maybe also a Daisy and Delia (if there are any more girls), and of course there has to be a Scrooge too! — I was just thinking that earlier today, so surely it’s meant to be?

Pleeeease, @AlanThePig??

@HollyandIvyandallthingsYule don't forget Webbigail (Webby) and Mrs Beakley!

Was this your house by any chance OP

@HollyandIvyandallthingsYule

That fits in so well with my idea to call the remaining ducklings Donald, Huey, Dewey, Louie...maybe also a Daisy and Delia (if there are any more girls), and of course there has to be a Scrooge too! — I was just thinking that earlier today, so surely it’s meant to be?

Pleeeease, @AlanThePig??

I also think we need a duck named Edd...Edd the duck.

We spend most of our time asking each other “is that Duncan?” When other males turn up because he really has nothing distinguishing at all about him other than he seems a bit portlier than other ducks. That said, other than Dot they will now be Huey, Luey etc especially as I’ve been humming duck tails since I read it.

@Soubriquet just sent that picture to DH and can hear him chuckling. Scarily true though. I’m sure they have some Duck Michelin guide.

All good today. Miserable day so I’ve sent DH to do food duty so no photos. Duncan is back though. Probably hungry 😂

I absolutely love reading your updates and seeing the photos of them all growing.
Love this thread!

This morning we attempted to recreate a scene from titanic. I was then spotted and they all came over for what’s probably a third breakfast (more breakfasts than hobbits this lot)

Dot is still very obvious. She’s also extremely bossy which is amusing. Pushing the others out of the way for food.

Uploading the pic will help.

Not so little now😍

Wow your garden is amazing