Cable Forum - View Single Post - Help needed

snodvan · 27-06-2004, 15:13

Help. Anyone from RSPB etc out there who can offer advice? This morning 8 am a commotion with kids outside the house revealed that there were 8 baby ducklings in our front garden. I was informed that the ducklings had been walking in the road and that the kids had chased them into our garden - as kids will do. The parent ducks were flying around at times, clearly somewhat distressed. I am presuming the hatch was inland and that the parents were trying to escort the offspring early morning to some more appropriate place.

They are Sheld ducks so I guess the appropriate place is the sea - approx 1/2 mile away in a direct line across the golf links. However, there is a busy motorway access road in between!

I ushered the offspring into our enclosed back garden and they settled down. At one time (9.15 am) the parent ducks landed in the garden and after they had settled I eased open the door to the garden (unseen by the ducks) in the hope that the parents would wander off with the offspring.

That started to happen in that the parents left the garden - but were then chased off by a dog! Damn! I have only seen them very briefly (once) flying overhead about 6 hours later.

OK, what to DO?

I can leave the ducklings overnight in the totally enclosed back garden and hope that the parents return later/ early tomorrow. Then I can repeat the door opening technique but this time making sure the area is clear of dogs. I am still worried about how the parents will get the offspring across the motorway access road. I presume the parent ducks know where they are heading.

Alternative is to catch the ducklings in a large box, transport them across the motorway access road and let them free on the golf links or even closer to the sea. I can do that now or very early morning. I am reluctant to do that because the chances of them linking up with the parents is remote.

Meanwhile do I try to feed the things - and with what? they can take the occasional 'dip' in my garden pond so water is not a problem.

Advice appreciated. I did try to phone RSPB and local RSPCA - voicemail replies only - and an unhelpful RSPCA national line.

Thanks

27-06-2004, 15:13	#1
snodvan Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North West Posts: 300	Help needed - baby ducks! Help. Anyone from RSPB etc out there who can offer advice? This morning 8 am a commotion with kids outside the house revealed that there were 8 baby ducklings in our front garden. I was informed that the ducklings had been walking in the road and that the kids had chased them into our garden - as kids will do. The parent ducks were flying around at times, clearly somewhat distressed. I am presuming the hatch was inland and that the parents were trying to escort the offspring early morning to some more appropriate place. They are Sheld ducks so I guess the appropriate place is the sea - approx 1/2 mile away in a direct line across the golf links. However, there is a busy motorway access road in between! I ushered the offspring into our enclosed back garden and they settled down. At one time (9.15 am) the parent ducks landed in the garden and after they had settled I eased open the door to the garden (unseen by the ducks) in the hope that the parents would wander off with the offspring. That started to happen in that the parents left the garden - but were then chased off by a dog! Damn! I have only seen them very briefly (once) flying overhead about 6 hours later. OK, what to DO? I can leave the ducklings overnight in the totally enclosed back garden and hope that the parents return later/ early tomorrow. Then I can repeat the door opening technique but this time making sure the area is clear of dogs. I am still worried about how the parents will get the offspring across the motorway access road. I presume the parent ducks know where they are heading. Alternative is to catch the ducklings in a large box, transport them across the motorway access road and let them free on the golf links or even closer to the sea. I can do that now or very early morning. I am reluctant to do that because the chances of them linking up with the parents is remote. Meanwhile do I try to feed the things - and with what? they can take the occasional 'dip' in my garden pond so water is not a problem. Advice appreciated. I did try to phone RSPB and local RSPCA - voicemail replies only - and an unhelpful RSPCA national line. Thanks