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.

@WildRosie

Not a fan of Canada geese then. I know they're quite vocal and messy but they are handsome birds. I expect they'll go when THEY feel like it. Be prepared for more of them in the meantime.

We only ever get two, they are soundly ignored and usually bog off after a day or two as I refuse to feed them. They are loud, bully the ducks and shit all over the garden not to mention try and go for us if we're in the garden. We don't encourage them.

This has got to be my most beautiful thread EVER
Thank you OP for sharing

Word of beak has obviously gotten around.

Or is it word of bill?

Oh dear...Canada Geese... As a Canadian, I apologize for those Cobra Chickens! I saw a video of one of them standing up to a bull!

'They all start quacking excitedly and followed me up the drive.'

Aah that is pure Duck love 🦆❤️

I fecking hate geese. Have a scar on my arse where I got pecked/savaged by one when I was a kid.

When they first came last year we did feed them. I found I was out every night flicking shit back in the pond. There was lots of it and it was all up the front path and being trodden in the house. Then when we opened the door to go out they started to become quite threatening. Last straw was one of them going at Duncan because he’d come over for his lunch.

On the odd occasion they do turn up now we pretty much ignore. These could possibly be the same ones from before as they seem to know the food drill and head over if they see us, we are however feeding the ducks away from them.

They are comical though I’ll give them that. Before they fly off they sit on the bank and appear to have a loud conversation as if discussing which way to fly. Then after all this shouting they go.

Oh I hate Canada geese.
I hope your ducks are taking no shit from them.

I've realised that they could be gone in a week!!! What will we do without the quackdates??

Geese went but we’re back earlier. The ducks don’t seem too bothered by them. Not see weena or Duncan for a couple of days now either so unsure where they ducked off too.

I think they might be later leaving though as flight practice isn’t really happening yet.

Maybe they know it's Christmas next week and they'll be having a feast?
Or maybe they know they've got it good living in your pond, so they're going to all remain celibate and see out their days with you.

I expect they are bubbling with you for Christmas @AlanThePig

@RedRosie

I expect they are bubbling with you for Christmas *@AlanThePig*

I spent £35 on food for them again yesterday so that’s their Christmas gift😂

Anyway, 6am I was woken by a ruckus. Squinting out of the window I can just make out in the dark the water in waves. It’s then I see they are doing the flying practice. Loudly. In the dark. At 6am.
Clearly they are very confused.

Oh bless them!!!! I check in pretty much every day for updates because this is probably the loveliest thread I've ever read!

How inconsiderate of them!!

All that racket before sunrise at the very least.

@AlanThePig £35! You are very indulgent and totally being taken advantage of ...

Can we have a photo of them on Christmas Day? I'd like to share that.

Afternoon all.
Happy to report in that all are well and the second moult is going ahead. Consequently the pond looks like someone exploded a duvet and the ducklings look neglected again.

Lots of wing flapping going on again and a few attempts to fly but nothing I’ve been able to catch on camera.

Had a lovely Christmas card from a neighbour that really touched me, thanking us for everything we’ve done to bring back the wildlife etc and make it look nice again. Bit choked by that, makes all the weeding in the rain worth it ☺️

I shall endeavour for a Christmas Day photo. I can’t see them going anywhere just yet...

I’m so glad they are doing well!

Thank you @AlanThePig - that lovely photo has brought me much joy on this, the "shortest" day of the year.

😍

They look almost big enough to be worth eating 😉😂

@RandomMess

😍

They look almost big enough to be worth eating 😉😂

STEP AWAY FROM THE DUCKS!!

@RandomMess

😍

They look almost big enough to be worth eating 😉😂

I think they would fight you😂

Duncan and Egwina showed up about half an hour ago for the first time in several days. DH went out to feed them and the ducklings chased them both off until they had their fill first.
I’m guessing this is them going NC with their parents for Christmas then. 😂

Are you in Tier 4? 🙂

Gah, the quote function failed.
If you ARE Tier4, maybe they're going NC for that?! 😁