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Post by metanoia on May 16, 2023 17:41:00 GMT
Has anyone else noticed the disproportion this spring?
There seems to be an enormous amount of drakes in the mallard population this season compared to the number of females. They also appear more aggressive than usual - probably due to their increasing numbers. I've also seen more than the normal amount of distressed and/or drowned females and many lone ducklings this year.
So sad and so obvious even I am beginning to think a cull might be due..........
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Post by Jim on May 16, 2023 17:56:08 GMT
Not noticed much unusual round here, a fair few around. Walked by a canada goose nest adjacent to the towpath, geese gone and one large egg left in the nest. Presumably that one just wasn't viable, the others hatched and moved on. Saw similar on the back of a little visited boat in Hebden Bridge, nest on the back deck.
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Post by metanoia on May 16, 2023 17:58:48 GMT
It's still good to see the moorhens and swans sticking by each other, as ever .......
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Post by Mr Stabby on May 16, 2023 18:07:08 GMT
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Post by metanoia on May 16, 2023 18:22:00 GMT
I do hope that's an amusing clip - sadly I don't do Utube/faceblob/insyourgran/twatter so will never know ....
I was merely trying to add some new content to this ever increasingly depressing forum.
Never mind.
As you were.........
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Post by on May 16, 2023 18:51:37 GMT
The original duck song is good. Some of the spoof versions are a bit rude though.
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Post by on May 16, 2023 18:52:52 GMT
Yesterday I saw 8 drakes and no females. So yes it does look like there is an imbalance. Its been going on for a number of yars.
Ducks have incredibly long willies.
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Post by metanoia on May 16, 2023 18:58:42 GMT
Yesterday I saw 8 drakes and no females. So yes it does look like there is an imbalance. Its been going on for a number of yars. Ducks have incredibly long willies. Perhaps that is why they are drowning all the females? |
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Post by dogless on May 16, 2023 19:03:13 GMT
Spotted a group of newly fledged robins looking a little shell-shocked. Managed to get a poor photo of one ... cute little things.  Rog |
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Post by dogless on May 16, 2023 19:04:50 GMT
As to the post question, we've not noticed any significant imbalance, but we'll be paying greater attention now.
Rog
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Post by metanoia on May 16, 2023 19:08:16 GMT
Not seen any cygnets as yet but lots of nesting/sitting pairs. Apparently they have to incubate them for 35 to 45 days. No wonder they stay together for life - we could all do with someone you can rely on.....  |
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Post by on May 16, 2023 20:57:50 GMT
Swans with 7 cygnets in the inner city ditch full of rubbish and weed yesterday.
Not seen any at the country estate thus far.
Tomorrow there is a day out in the floating electric beer drinking platform in pleasant surroundings so might see something interesting.
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Post by dogless on May 16, 2023 21:00:21 GMT
Saw a mallard pair with 17 ducklings as we came into Rugeley ... don't think we've ever seen more.
They were all similar size so we're fairly confident they were one clutch.
No photo I'm afraid.
Rog
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Post by on May 16, 2023 21:03:27 GMT
17 is good. The most I have counted was 14. I wonder what drake mallards are like to eat. Maybe if there are too many there should be some management.
They are probably a bit wiry like canada goose. Light oven, place brick in oven. Add bird. When brick is cooked remove bird and serve.
Tandoori coots might be nice.
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Post by Aloysius on May 16, 2023 21:17:04 GMT
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