mini quacks!

[pilvikki]

[ img ]

[Ice.Maiden]

Aren't they lovely?

I called into a flour mill a couple of weeks back, and stood watching a whole row of little ducklings follow their mum into the river. Then going back to the car, there were dozens of them all doing the same thing. Sweet!

[pilvikki]

aren't they late for being little?

[Ice.Maiden]

No. Rouens/mallards have their chicks in winter as well as earlier in the year.

[pilvikki]

live and learn, never seen that. maybe it's different in Canada?

[Ice.Maiden]

Probably. Might have something to do with the lower temps, but the riverbank was swarming with these lovely little ducklings, and it might depend on what sort they are as well.

[pilvikki]

Clutches are usually large, 4-16 eggs in Canadian species. Downy young are active at hatching, swimming within hours. Females guard and brood ducklings but do not feed them.

ok, this explains it:

After a winter spent feeding in the warmer southern areas, the mallards return north to breed and nest. Hens typically nest in the cover of the native grasses in the upland areas around wetlands. This usually takes place throughout April and May. Late in May, the first ducklings begin to appear.

so, no baby duckies in the snow.

[Ice.Maiden]

I wonder what sort the ones I saw were? They were fluffy, mainly brown little things.

[pilvikki]

you should see the river banks in minden, ON! people get quite peeved, because there are all these lovely walks and art and benches and lights etc. and mostly used by mama geese and their offspring and they don't like people on their walks.

:lol:

[Ice.Maiden]

I can imagine. Mama geese don't like anyone going near their babies, and'll let you know about it, but ducks seem a bit friendlier.