Mallard duck and ducklings

When a duck is taking her ducklings to water (within one day of hatching) she sometimes chooses an unsuitable route! Last week a duck and her 8 ducklings were strolling through Eyre Square Shopping Centre! One of the managers called our emergency number and Imelda,one of our volunteers, went in and caught them with the help of four staff members.

In such rescues it is very important to catch mother duck first to insure she does not fly away. Without her they would have to be handreared. Having her protection is much better.

We relocated mother and ducklings to a lovely clean lake, with plenty of food and cover, in Ardrahan. They have been seen a few times since and are doing very well!

Mallard Ducklings

Mallard ducklings are being hatched all over the city and county. The duck builds her nest in very inaccessible places so as to protect the eggs from predators. She can lay a large number of eggs, sometimes between 12 and 15. When all the eggs are laid incubation begins. This can take 14 to 18 days. In the first 24 hours after hatching mother duck must take her ducklings to water to feed.
This is a very dangerous time for them. Magpies, gulls or crows may prey on them. It is not uncommon to see a duck trying to cross a busy road with her clutch in tow ! They often fall into holes, drains and cattle grids are a great hazard. They cannot get out of these and have to be rescued. The best help one can give them is to allow them to cross in safety and not to handle the ducklings unless absolutely necessary. It is very important that mother duck is not frightened off. If this happens the ducklings will have to be handreared. This is a long and difficult process. The best one to rear them is mother duck.