Lets have a catch up

 

Our 13 teenage ducklings were due to fly away on June 4th.  I know this because I worked it out.  Unfortunately nobody bothered telling them and if they have, they aint listening.

Steve and I went for a well earned break this month leaving my Mother In Law in charge of all things pond (sidenote, they ran rings around her).   We somewhat stupidly assumed that when we arrived home the teenagers would be gone.  Not only were they not gone we had also somehow acquired a Moorhen.  He's a skittish little thing and has been christened Marvin.  Like the ducks he also shows no sign of buggering off.

Meanwhile, Egwina has been keeping out of the way.  I don't blame her to be honest.  13 rampaging teenagers would have me retreating to somewhere quiet as well, but we did have a suspicion she was on eggs again so it wasn't much of a surprise when 5 new ducklings appeared on Monday.  This development has rattled a few of the teens and 3 have decided being a big sibling isn't for them and have finally buggered off.  I say finally.  It took three days where they repeatedly flew in a loop around the neighbourhood before landing again with a splash.So, todays headcount is 9 Teens, 5 Ducklings, 1 Egwina, 1 Duncan, 1 Marvin.  I am hopeful the remaining teens will leave in the next week or so.

I've spent a few weeks planting out the banks of the pond to try and discourage the geese when they inevitably return next year, apparently geese need a good, clear line of sight so don't like bushes and shrubs around the pond.  I've put in new acres, castor oil plants and various other shrubs.  I'm planning a trip to purchase a few rhododendrons as well at the weekend.  I have noticed they don't seem to be overnighting here as much lately so it might well be working.

Since the arrival of Marvin we've found a few dead fish in the water.  I was wondering at first if this was to do with the low levels and perhaps the hot weather we've been having, but when I spotted Marvin sat on the duck house happily eating a rudd twice his size I think I have found the culprit.  I hadn't realised Moorhens eat fish so I am hoping that he is indeed responsible but it's something I need to keep a close eye on.

I shall leave you with a picture of the new clutch.  As usual I don't expect all to survive, but everything crossed for them!



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