Not quite like ducks to water: Watch the moment neglected ducks see water for first time... and have to be forced in

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Scaredy-cats: The ducks make an abrupt stop on encountering the water's edge and hastily retreat

Jemima Puddleduck it is not.
This is the hilarious video shows animal sanctuary workers trying desperately to get a haggle of reluctant rescue ducks into the water for the first time.
And they weren't having any of it.
Taken in by the Woodstock Sanctuary in New York, the 24 ducks had never seen water before so when released into a pond-bearing enclosure, their initial excitement at having free range to roam quickly turned to fear.

Get me out of here!: They waddle off as fast as they can in the opposite direction

Going as fast as they can waddle, the ducks charge across the woodland, coming to an abrupt stop by the water's edge, as though encountering some form of blockade.
The flock then turns and retreats, heading for dryer, safer ground.
They even file back toward the pen opening, clearing having realised that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
It seems to dawn on the ducks that they're trapped and they start dithering around, darting from place to place, seeking a way out from the vicinity of the fearful pond.

Gently does it: The staff attempt to shepherd the ducks in but to no avail

Playing shepherd, the staff attempt to guide their herd toward the water, but the ducks are adamant they're not going in.
Eventually they find themselves in a tight spot - gathered on a rock-edge, with nowhere to run, their only option is to slide into the pond.
Once in the ducks flap manically, clearly not enjoying their wet debut.

In a tight spot: The ducks find themselves on a rock-edge and realise there is no choice but to jump

Over-rated!: The ducks quickly decide they're not enamored with the water and make a rapid escape

They hurry toward the opposite side and clamber out, shaking themselves off in disgust.
Seeing that there is but one option remaining, the amused, yet probably quite frustrated, staff resort to grabbing hold of the ducks and launching them into the water one by one.
It is a most undignified entrance for so highly-strung an animal and it's fair to say a few feathers are ruffled.
Most jump out at the next available opportunity - only to be plonked straight back in again - but one seems to find its water feet, dipping its head in and out of the water as though trying to fish.

It's for your own good!: The staff accept that their last resort is to launch the ducks in themselves

C'mon in, the water's lovely!: One brave duck embraces all that the pond has to offer and realises it's not so bad after all

Anything you can do... Not willing to be shown up as spoil-sports the other ducks swiftly follow and are soon splashing around, having the time of their lives

Well the others aren't going to be stood up like that.
Realising its not so bad after all they follow the adventurous duck's lead and before long they're having a great time, splashing around as they discover what they've been missing all this time.



source: dailymail

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Shall I be mother? Man, 50, becomes unlikely surrogate to eight ducklings after injured mum abandoned her eggs

By AMY OLIVER

Ducker up: Mr Risco keeps the ducklings inside his family home in Longton at night but lets them out into a pen during the day

When Ponce Risco noticed a mother duck had abandoned her eggs he decided to take them under his wing.
But the Spanish guesthouse owner from Longton, Staffordshire, didn't quite bargain for the demands eight ducklings can bring.
After watching them hatch and keeping them incubated, the daffy birds now think Mr Risco is their mother and follow him everywhere.
They are kept in a pen during the day but do get to stretch their legs when they accompany Mr Risco on his daily walk to Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve.
Mr Risco, 50, said: 'They think I'm their mother I think, as long as they can see me they are fine but if I go out of site they start making a noise and panic and huddle together.'

Ducker up: Mr Risco keeps the ducklings inside his family home in Longton at night but lets them out into a pen during the day

He added: 'I didn't ask for this, I was just trying to help.
'We were here with the eggs and they take an imprint of the first thing they see.'
The babies' mother and father, named Shy and Handsome by Mr Risco, visit his garden every year.
But, in April he realised something was amiss when Shy abandoned her eggs. In a moment of panic Mr Risco, his wife Lisa, 44, and 15-year-old son Lewis, bought a second-hand incubator for the eggs

Troupe: The ducklings are happy when they can see Mr Risco but when he goes out of sight they huddle together and start quacking loudly

They later found Shy injured in a neighbouring garden. And, while she recovered, the family decided to try their hand at looking after the eggs.
They bought a second incubator and soon the eggs began to hatch - leaving the family with eight ducklings.
Mr Risco is currently keeping the ducks inside at night time, in a part of the house that isn't finished yet and in the day time they are outside in a pen.

Horsing around: The ducklings walk outside Mr Risco's home as a horse rider double takes while trotting past

Nice weather for ducks: Once or twice a day Mr Risco walks to Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve and the ducklings follow him

And, their real mother is still around. Mr Risco built a floating house for Shy on his pond and she sleeps there but tends to wander off during the day.
'Hopefully they will take off soon,' he added.
The family hasn't named the ducklings but they are able to tell a couple of them apart.
Mr Risco concluded: 'They are a bit of a pain but I would do it all over again.
'They have given us so much joy, they are fantastic.'

Hatchlings: After noticing the mother had abandoned her eggs Mr Risco and his wife decided to take them on and bought an incubator. Here is one duckling just after it hatched

Don't dawdle: Mr Risco said raising the ducklings had been a 'bit of a pain' but that he would do it all over again

source: dailymail

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The moment a heron sneaks up on a tiny gosling and grabs him out of the water for a lunchtime snack by the lake

By JILL REILLY

Predator: The small fuzzy bird was swimming through the water in London's Serpentine lake when the heron moved quickly behind him

They are known for eating lots of small fish, but herons are also partial to small birds as this unlucky gosling found out today.
The small fuzzy bird was swimming through the water in the Serpentine, a lake in London's Hyde Park, when the heron moved quickly behind him.
The yellow gosling didn't stand a chance as he was picked up by the scruff of his neck. He clasped the small animal in his orange beak and flew across the pond, securely holding onto the young bird.
He then put him down, ready to eat, on dry land next to a jealous seagull who was eying up his prey.
It is unclear if the gosling's mother was nearby or he had become an easy target become he was separated from the gaggle.
Geese are known for being very protective over their offspring.

Too late: The gosling didn't stand a chance as he was picked up by the scruff of his neck out of the water in Hyde Park

Secure: He clasped the small animal in his orange beak and flew across the pond, holding onto the young bird

Survival of the fittest: A seagull looks on as the heron walks along with the gosling in his mouth

Menu: As well as ducklings, herons also eat small mammals like voles, and amphibians

As well as ducklings, herons also eat small mammals like voles, and amphibians.
After harvesting, grey herons can sometimes be seen in fields, looking for rodents.
Herons have two ways of hunting for prey - they can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest.

source: dailymail

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The day the ducks fought back: Chick-eating seagull goes back for a second helping - but gets chased away by the furious mother

By TED THORNHILL


Foiled: The seagull scoops the chick out of the water, but drops it when the mother swoops in

A murderous seagull that gobbled up a duckling got more than it bargained for when it returned for another helping.
It swooped on the ducklings as they swam with their parents in Herbert Park, Dublin, last week. But the mother duck, who initially had eleven ducklings in tow, finally forced the gull away by aggressively flapping her wings.
‘This is the time of year ducks raise their young, so predatory birds like gulls are always on the look out for an easy meal.
‘The gull was waiting for one of the ducklings to stray from the group and when it finally spotted one it swooped in for the kill.

Brave: The fearless mother is not deterred by the seagull's size advantage

In a flap: The angry mother proved she was no sitting duck and chased the attacker away

Taking flight: The seagull is in no mood to hang around
Photographer Paul Hughes said: ‘I was taking pictures in the park and saw this gull watching the young family.

Murder most fowl: The seagull successfully securing a first course

‘The gull was able to grab hold of a duckling in its beak.
‘But when it came back for a second helping mum was ready and fought the gull away until it had to turn tail and fly off.
‘The chick ducked under the water. There was a lot of quacking and squawking going on.
‘It was a stressful moment for the mother, but in the end she saved her family.’


Happy family: The ducklings with their protective mother

source: dailymail

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Waddle they be wearing next season? Have a gander at the latest in duck fashion... it's guaranteed to quack you up

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Feathery fashion victims: These glamorous geese strut their stuff at the duck fashion show in Australia

These dapper ducks had punters in a real flap as they showed of the latest feathery threads at their very own fashion show.
The supermodel birds waddled their way down the catwalk, much to the delight of the audience as part of a family fashion show in Sydney, Australia.
The piece de resistance came when a duck bride and groom resplendent in all their finery waddled their way down the aisle.
The wacky event also featured a duck racing competition.
Owner Brian Harrington, who runs the show, said: 'If they were human, they would be on top money. 'They have an ever-changing wardrobe with the latest fashion styles.

Farmer Brian Harrington, who runs the show, has been putting on the displays for 30 years and cleans and irons all the outfits himself

'I’ve taken bookings from all over the world and when we do street walks with three ducks and a dog, people come out from the shops on both sides.'
Brian has been putting on the fashion shows for 30 years and cleans and irons all the outfits himself.
The farmer from New South Wales, also trains pigs which, this year, played a chaotic version of musical chairs.

Wedding bills: The feathery bride and groom waddle down the isle



source: dailymail

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Ducking and diving for a meal: Mother and her brood of 12 ducklings visit deli every day

By GRAHAM SMITH

Feeding frenzy: Dizzy the duck and her brood of 12 ducklings enjoy some food outside the Hairy Fig deli, next to the Merchant Adventurers Hall, in York

She has been a loyal customer for two years.
And now Dizzy the duck has started taking her brood of 12 ducklings along with her when she makes her daily visit to a city centre deli.
The family has become a hit with both customers and staff at the Hairy Fig deli, next to the Merchant Adventurers Hall in York.
The mother duck, who recently hatched a clutch of ducklings, often arrives at the eatery at the break of dawn. Once there, she and her brood patiently wait for the Hairy Fig to open, at which point they are fed.
Deli owner Sue Hardie said that when Dizzy first started coming to the deli, she used to walk into the shop.
But now, after a little training, she sits outside and waits for her food.

Orderly: The mother duck and her ducklings often arrive at the eatery at the break of dawn

Ms Hardie said: "Dizzy is a loner and gets chased by geese, but she knows she is well fed and looked after here.
'She waits for me outside the shop before we open.
'She used to walk into the shop to be fed every morning but we had to put a stop to that.'

source: dailymail

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Sink or swim: Two ducklings are rescued after being abandoned by their mother when they were just a few days old

By JILL REILLY

Safe in time for Easter: The Mallard pair - nicknamed Peter and Paul by carers - were found paddling in a stream in Vivary Park, Taunton, Somerset, this week without their mother

When these two little ducklings were abandoned by their mother, their chances of survival were slim.
But now they are enjoying splashing in a basin, after two animal lovers rescued them just in time for Easter.
The Mallard pair - nicknamed Peter and Paul by carers - were found paddling alone in a stream in Vivary Park, Taunton, Somerset, this week without their mother.

Water fun: Now they are enjoying splashing in a basin, after two animal lovers rescued them just in time for Easter - the tiny ducklings were only a couple of days old on arrival

Happy days: Their new home is the Secret World Wildlife Rescue, in East Huntspill - once they are ready they will be released back into the wild

Luckily they were scooped up by two animal lovers and taken to Secret World Wildlife Rescue, in nearby East Huntspill.
Animal care manager Sara Cowan said the cute ducklings were only a couple of days old on arrival and were now snug and warm in an incubator.
She said: 'They will remain under close observation for a couple of weeks before being transferred to a cage and from there to the open where they will be raised until they are fully feathered.'
Peter and Paul are the first of hundreds of lost or abandoned feathered friends expected to arrive at the centre during this breeding season.

Lucky ducks: Animal care manager Sara Cowan said 'They will remain under close observation for a couple of weeks before being transferred to a cage and from there to the open where they will be raised until they are fully feathered'


More to come: Peter and Paul are the first of hundreds of lost or abandoned feathered friends expected to arrive at the centre during this breeding season

After being cared for, they will be released back into the wild.
Secret World staff are busy preparing for their four day Easter Open Weekend to raise cash for their £4.4 million Call of the Wild Appeal.
The project, launched by famous Discworld author Sir Terry Pratchett, aims to build a new wildlife teaching hospital and education centre.

source: dailymail

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Waddle we look like when we grow up, Mum? Hilda the hen hatches clutch of ducklings after sitting on wrong nest

By NICK ENOCH

Hilda the Bantam hen has hatched a clutch of ducklings after accidentally sitting on the wrong nest of eggs

They may not look like their mum - or sound like her - but that doesn't seem to bother these fluffy little birds.
Hilda the hen has hatched a clutch of ducklings after accidentally sitting on the wrong nest of eggs.
The broody Bantam hen nested over the five eggs for a month, apparently unaware that they had been laid by a duck.
Farm owner Philip Palmer was also none the wiser as Hilda barely left the duck eggs alone until they hatched after 28 days.
And even when tiny Indian runner ducklings emerged instead of fluffy yellow chicks, Hilda wasn't put off and adopted the babies as her own.

Even when tiny Indian runner ducklings emerged instead of fluffy yellow chicks, Hilda wasn't put off and adopted the babies as her own

It would seem that the only time Hilda will realise the difference is when her brood waddle down to the pond and float - something chickens just can't do.
Phillip, 45, who runs the Farmer Palmer's children's activity farm near Poole, Dorset, said: 'Hilda doesn't seem bothered at all - the ducklings follow her around just as chicks would.

Philip Palmer, who runs the farm in Poole, Dorset, where Hilda lives, was also none the wiser as she barely left the duck eggs alone until they hatched after 28 days

'Our ducks and chickens live together so a duck must have laid her eggs and that caused the mix-up.
'When I saw Hilda sitting on some eggs, I thought they were hers or another chicken's and, as she barely moved, I had no idea they were duck eggs.
'She was quite happy to sit there and nest them for the next 28 days and when they hatched I was shocked - instead of chicks, we had ducklings!
'It was so surprising but lovely and she has proved to be very capable at raising them.
'The ducklings aren't aware that their mother is a hen and Hilda is totally unaware that she's actually got a bunch of ducks waddling behind her.
'The ducklings don't leave her side and if they get scared they run for cover under their "mum".
'It is very sweet to see. The only way they will really notice the difference is when the ducks start swimming in the pond.'


Phillip, 45, who runs the Farmer Palmer's children's activity farm said: 'Hilda doesn't seem bothered at all - the ducklings follow her around just as chicks would'

source: dailymail

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Lucky duck: Flapper survives after his neck is pierced with a five-inch dart

By JILL REILLY

Cruel: The duck was taken to the vets to have the 5.1 inch dart removed from its neck

This duck was lucky to survive after vets removed a 5.1 inch dart which had pierced his neck.
Mindless thugs are thought to be responsible for the attack on the bird who has been nicknamed Flapper.
Members of the public in Lewes, East Sussex, spent almost an hour trying to catch Flapper yesterday after a kind couple spotted him.

Rescued: Chris Kemp, Lewes council ranger, left, and local resident Jack Lee with the duck before it was taken for treatment at the vets
Eventually one man managed to rescue him by diving into a freezing cold pond.

Trevor Weeks of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service said: 'The dart thought to be from a blowpipe had gone through the muscle in the neck of the male duck not far from the spine.
'Slightly lower and the dart could have paralysed the duck. It took five attempts to catch the duck, which was mobile and could fly, but was clearly not at full strength.'
Mr Weeks also revealed that another duck had been found with a dart through its wing the previous day.

Full recovery: Flapper's wound cleaned and medicated and he is expected to make a full recovery

'This is very worrying. I hope that this is not some sick Christmas present being used to cause cruelty.'
Flapper was taken to East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service's Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith where the dart was carefully removed and the wound cleaned and medicated.
He is expected to make a full recovery.

source: dailymail

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Ducking out for a pint: The pet who's just quackers about her master... and even follows him to the PUB

By Emma Reynolds

Beer and birds: Barrie Hayman with Star, the 11-week-old duckling who loves a drink down his local

Children have long loved Hans Christian Anderson's story of the Ugly Duckling, who became an outcast after his friends and family rejected him.

But now another unwanted little bird has found solace with a human 'father'.

And he has taken such a shine to the 65-year-old that he will follow him everywhere - even to the pub.


The 11-week-old duckling watches rugby, goes shopping at Tesco and even has his own Facebook page.

Barrie Hayman rescued Star when he spotted the Indian Runner Duck doing a 'distressed waddling dance' - rather like Mumble's in kids' film Happy Feet - when he was only a few days old.

'He just won't leave me and so now we go everywhere together,' said Mr Hayman, who has been breeding ducks for 18 months. 'I've not trained him to follow me, he just seems to like it and he is one fantastic duck - I've never known any like it before.

'He comes to the pub, where everyone loves him and we'll be watching his first world cup together next week.

Feathered friend: Indian Runner Duck Star was plucked from his incubator when he was showing signs of distress at just a few days old


'He just won't mix at all with the other ducks and became distressed when I tried to put him with them.'

The grandfather-of-one, who trains his flock for duck trials, said he gets a few shocked faces as he takes Star around his hometown of Eastleigh, near Bideford in north Devon.

'When he was younger, I would put him in my pocket while I did my shopping.

'Now he's bigger, he happily waits in the foyer of my local Tesco as I nip in. He's not fazed at all.

'I try not to keep him there too long in case someone pinches him, but he's quite happy waiting.'


Wing man: Mr Hayman out on the town with his devoted pet, who even follows him to the supermarket


Mr Hayman, who used to teach scuba diving in Australia, began looking after ducks at the Big Sheep in Abbotsham, north Devon, six years ago.

He now has 10 ducks and 12 ducklings, plus six from the Big Sheep in winter.

But he says he knew Star was different from the moment he was born - so he plucked the baby duckling out of the incubator and took him home to wife Sue.

Luckily Mrs Hayman, an operations manager, shares her husband's affection for the tiny creature.

Star now has a Facebook page, under the name Star Hayman, which lists his favourite books as The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, Animal Farm and Charlotte's Web.

His top activities include 'quacking' and the profile also says: 'I am an Indian Runner Duck. My daddy is my best friend. I love wriggly worms and I follow my dad everywhere. I watch TV with him, especially rugby, and I even share his beer!'

Mr Hayman added: 'He is such a personality and attracts so much attention. Children just seem to love him.

'You get a few shocked faces walking into a shop with a duck following you.

'He did get a bad reception at one place, but everyone else seems to just love him - he is becoming a bit of an exhibitionist.'

'He is 11 weeks old now and going through the ugly duckling stage, but I know he will be magnificent soon.'


source:dailymail

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I like you but you don't say much: Rescue centre gives tiny duckling a mirror so it doesn't die of loneliness

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Don't I know you from somewhere? This baby duckling has been kept alive by looking at it's reflection in a mirror

A lonely duckling separated from its family at birth has been saved thanks to a mirror - which has become its only friend.

Seven-day-old Alice was taken to a rescue centre after being mauled by a gull at just one day old.

But the bird was in an agitated state and refused to eat because of the stress of being separated from its siblings.


Through the looking glass: Vets at the Devon Wildlife Centre are keeping the duckling alive by using a mirror to combat isolation from other ducklings


So quick-thinking keepers installed a mirror which tricks Alice into thinking its reflection is actually another duckling.

Now it happily huddles up to the mirror for companionship - and even 'talks' to it.

Liz Dyas, of Devon Wildlife Visitor Centre, near Newton Abbot, Devon, said: ''If we remove the mirror it goes absolutely crazy and squawks and complains until we put it back.

'The duckling regularly wanders up to the mirror and pecks at it, licks it and is constantly happily chirruping away.

'It is very common for ducklings to die once separated from the flock and we're amazed at the change in condition.

'The duckling was withdrawn, not eating and in quite a bad way when it arrived. But the transformation is incredible.

'It's really sweet to watch it nestling against the mirror.'

source: dailymail

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Must be the Lynx effect: Predator left sopping wet after lucky duck makes a quick getaway

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

On the prowl: The wildcat creeps up on the unsuspecting duck, who's bobbing along with his pals in an Alaskan pond

This bird nearly became duck soup when a sneaky predator made a swipe for it.

When a wildcat spotted the fat duck bobbing about with his pals on a pond he thought it would be an opportunity for an easy takeaway.

After creeping carefully through the long grass, and sure that the bird was oblivious, the feline took his chance.


Flap for freedom: The lynx pounces but, sensing danger, the duck begins to take flight


But this duck wasn't daffy. He made a life-saving flap for freedom and, after a brief chase, managed to avoid his hungry hunter.

The sorry-for-himself mog, meanwhile, was left dripping wet, and was forced to make other plans for dinner.


Duck tales: Despite his leaps and bounds, the cat can't keep up with the water bird


Photographer Anthony C. Gibson captured the dramatic scene in Alaska's Denali National Park. He explains: 'The park is covered with knee-high vegetation so the chances of ever spotting a lynx is near zero.

'Small little ponds are everywhere on the tundra, and we found this lynx stalking around one near the main road late in the afternoon.'


Harumph! Mog is left revising his dinner plans

source: dailymail

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