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.
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