More ducklings

A third set of Mallard ducklings has hatched in the last couple of days - to add to the the two sets born last month. In the three years we have been here we have not had more than one brood in a year and the most ducklings at any one time has been nine. This year we have had thirty eight ducklings........so far.

One of the April broods was back on the moat with thirteen 'adolescents'. The duck that was with the older ducklings occasionally chased off a tiny duckling when it got too close to her brood. This must be to stop it joining her lot as it could hardly have provided a physical threat. Whilst this sort of behaviour is described as normal it does not fit with the communal lifestyle and creche arrangements that seemed to apply to the first two broods.

Grass snake at close quarters

I hadn't seen one of our grass snakes close up until today. I was removing ivy from the garage roof gutters when I came across a snake hiding under the ivy. Of course I stopped clearing and let it slide under some remaining cover. I think it could travel down into the water via the downpipe from the guttering although it could also get there via the ivy.