KELPIE has ventured out again

[IanM]

13 minutes ago, cuthound said:

Saw our first duck with ducklings this year. She had 8.

 

I wonder how many will survive?

 

The internet suggests 10-20% survive to adulthood.

[cuthound]

2 hours ago, IanM said:

 

The internet suggests 10-20% survive to adulthood.

 

Yes the survival rate is very low compared to cygnets and moor hen chicks, where most seem to survive.

 

I once saw two ducklings out of a batch  disappear vertically downwards never to be seen again. Presumably taken by a pike.

Edited May 12, 2025 by cuthound
To add photo.

[haggis]

Sods law ! I come all this way and haven't seen a single moorhen chick and I have just heard that there are 6 chicks on the pond in the wood in our village. We only have 2 moorhens on the pond and we thought they had a nest this year. Hope they survive the heron .

[ditchcrawler]

They are nesting still on the BCN Narrowboat Briar Rose: To Crick: Day 9