The RSPB is urging people to watch out for ducklings in the next few weeks, and warning that they may turn up in some unexpected places
Many calls coming into the wildlife charity’s enquiries team at the moment are from people reporting that they have ducks nesting in their gardens and even on their balconies and patios – a long way from the water you may expect them to chose.
Safe nesting sites near to water can be difficult to find so ducks regularly move into other areas to lay their eggs.
As well as in gardens, ducks have been spotted nesting in hospital quads areas, university grounds, school playgrounds and building yards.
Duckling difficulty
The problems arise when the mother duck wants to lead her young to water, a feat that is usually far from straightforward.
The adult can fly but her ducklings won’t be able to until they are seven weeks old and they can get themselves into some sticky situations.
The RSPB is asking people to consider duck families when they are in their garden and out and about.
The wildlife charity is asking anyone that has ducks nesting relatively close to water to make sure they can walk safely to it by opening garden gates and clearing any overgrown paths.
If you see the family start their walk to water, they may even need an escort – and if it involves crossing a road some may even need the police to hold up the traffic!
If water is a very long way from the nest site some ducks will have to be caught and taken there.
Although this isn’t easy, the RSPB says that it does work but the correct sequence is important:
- Catch Mother duck: usually tempting her with food will suffice or drop a light cloth over her, scoop her up and place her in suitable container – a box or basket for instance. She needs to be kept in the dark to minimise panic
- Gather up the ducklings – make sure they are all caught and placed in a separate container. This is to ensure that Mum does not trample on them during the journey.
- Find a stretch of water – perhaps one where ducks are known to live. Select a sheltered spot where the tiny ducklings can get in and out of the water comfortably
- Release the babies close to the water and then Mum but make sure she sees her ducklings immediately.
Val Osborne, Head of RSPB Wildlife Enquiries says: “It’s a tricky time for ducks, especially those that haven’t nested close to water.
“This is increasingly common as they often feel safer in more built up areas and incubating and laying eggs is fairly straightforward in such a spot. But it’s when they come to move to water that things can get a bit hairy.
“Capturing them would be the most extreme help needed and it can be worrying but we seldom hear of any mishaps. The mother duck may have a few ruffled feathers but it’ll be worth it make sure her family are re-homed close to water safely.”
If your nesting duck’s eggs haven’t hatched yet, the adult will try to be secretive to protect the eggs and will nest amongst shrubs or beneath hedges.
Ducks will lay an egg a day for up to a dozen days and you may come across some which seem as though they have been abandoned.
Stay clear
The RSPB is urging anyone who comes across a clutch of eggs to leave them in place as the duck will return to complete the laying process and begin incubation.
The drake will usually have vanished by this stage so the duck is on her own. Incubation lasts for around 28 days and the RSPB also suggests a bowl of drinking water and some duck pellets as she will be reluctant to leave her eggs for very long to search for food.
All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and the penalties for deliberately destroying active nests are now quite severe.
For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk