The difficult life of a mother duck raising ducklings

[Kkimm]

We've had so much pleasure from our garden pond this year. For the first time ever our visiting mallard ducks have raised a brood of ducklings. I should say the mother duck has done the raising, no sign of dad around which is probably usual for mallards. First there were 5 ducklings, then overnight one disappeared and mum took the 4 tiny remaining ducklings of only two days old on a trek across the fields to look for a safer pond I suppose.

We were sad but thought that perhaps she had made a wise decision as the cat from next door frequently lurked in the garden and had most probably been the culprit.

After 4 days she returned with all 4 ducklings safe and well, we were so pleased to see her.

Around a week later a male and female mallard arrived to join her and the male kept chasing our female away. We feed the ducks on grain around 3 times a day and I think he decided he wanted to keep all the food for himself and his girlfriend. Once again our little party disappeared and this time after a few days returned another duckling down.

We thought about all the trials and tribulations mother ducks go through to try to raise their babies to adulthood safely.

The foursome have remained safe now for several weeks and the ducklings are growing up fast having some of their adult feathers now.

We've watched them learn to dive, chase flies and root around on the lawn searching for worms etc. The mother duck has valiantly watched over them throughout always looking around for foe while they feed. She also has the difficult decisions about whether to remain where there is a ready source of food but known dangers, or brave the trek across fields with three tiny ducklings in search of a new pond with perhaps many unknown dangers.

So much wildlife visits our pond and we have watched the flowers around it open and the white roses, and pink tamarisk and rock roses come into bloom, not to mention the white, pink and yellow lilies open and close their petals with rising and setting of the sun.

I hope you enjoy these photos of our brave and strong mother duck and some of her enchanting little ducklings which have given us both delight and anxiety this spring.

Very best wishes to all.

Kim

[Nathalie99 Partner]

Beautiful pictures and amazing, beautiful story, Kim.

Last year I was watching a mother duck with 9 ducklings. It is quite difficult for just one adult to watch over so many little ones with so many dangers around and look for food unless being fed by people regularly.

You have such a beautiful pond and the flowers are very uplifting. Thank you for posting.

It's nice of you to feed the ducks, hope they can share their food between them. I'm hand feeding Muscovy ducks and some take over the food, not letting the other ones have any, strangely. These are bigger ducks that just appeared in the lake close to us so we are happy to have them around.

[Kkimm in reply to Nathalie99]

Thanks so much for your kind comments Nathalie. Glad you're able to enjoy see ducks also. I know muskovy ducks, they are real characters.Kim

[hypercat54 in reply to Kkimm]

You are very lucky to be able to witness this amazing duck family and I wish I had the same opportunity. I do remember being on a chalet holiday years ago and every day this mother duck and ducklings would pay us a visit and walk right in.

I felt a similar way with my latest cat. For the first time I had to train a kitten how to cope with the outdoors and it was fascinating to watch him develop his powers over time. One day he couldn't climb a tree properly and was just hanging by his claws He fell off and I caught him. A few days later he had mastered it and soon was bombing up and down at the speed of light.

He is 7 now and in his prime but it was great watching him develop.

[Kkimm in reply to hypercat54]

Hi HypercatYes it was great to watch. The development of all young animals and birds is so special isn't it?

We have had three dogs from puppies over the years and loved all the fun and traumas of bringing up puppies.

Your cat will bring you great fun and comfort I am sure.

Best wishes

Kim

[Shy_Guy]

Beautiful photos. I love the pheasant

[Kkimm in reply to Shy_Guy]

Thanks, yes we have pheasants coming into the garden all the time. We put food in the feeders on the bird table for the small birds such as gold finches and blue tits and the pheasants hang about under the table picking up the bits they drop.Kim

[Lindyloo53 Volunteer]

Thank you for sharing your photos such sharp colours.

[Kkimm in reply to Lindyloo53]

Thanks for your reply