So sweet, yet so sad as well

[TrailRat]

For the past two weeks a mother duck and her troop of ducklings has crossed our yard every morning. It's almost clock work, between 8 and half past they climb out of the canal, waddle across the yard and disappear through a hole in the fence into the brook that runs parralel to the canal. They have to cross at least 100 yards of open space before reaching there destination. It has become a feature of our day and work usually halts to watch mother trying to keep her kids in check. Today tradegy struck as one of her troop was straggling behind the rest and was pounced on by a magpie. Before the mother could even retalite, the magpie had pounced, killed and flown off with his prize into the trees. It was so sad as you could hear her all day looking for her youngster. Normally the bunch are quiet as clouds, with the odd quack and squeak every now and then. But today she was quacking like made, almost sounded forlorn. I just hope she and her troop make an appearence tommorow. The yard staff have all decided to be on our gaurd if she does show. It was terrible thing to behold.

TrailRat

[TrailRat]

[budgiebreeder]

Oh gosh Nick how very sad.But that is nature in the raw isn't it.

[TrailRat]

Yeah, can't blame the magpie really

TrailRat

[Val]

 :'(Nature can be so sad, with all your help perhaps she will raise the rest of her brood safely.

[Plocket]

Oh that's so sad. Good for you and the guys - keep us posted.

[rosebud]

T R do let s know what happens tomorrow,how sad ,but the
magpie would have been feeding her young.
I have seen a magpie steal a baby blackbird from the ivy in my neighbours garden, it was horrible they are so fast you cannot stop them.

[Spurdie]

Ah, Trailrat!
You post silly jokes about vampires and tampons and yet here you are telling us about your poor duck's misfortune!
I believe you are a big softie at heart. Go on, admit it! Ah go on! Ah go on! Go on, go on, go on!

[TrailRat]

I am sad to say that we have lost our morning troop. No sign of mother or her brood. We checked the canal and the brook and no sign of her. It's a shame to lose such a morning treat in such a tragic way.

And spurdie, yes I guess I am a big softie.

TrailRat

[rosebud]

T R i just hope the magpies diden`t get any more babies,and the mother duck has just moved them away to safety.

[TrailRat]

I hope thats the case, it would be a shame if there gone. Nature is such a cruel mistress.

TrailRat

[Val]

Lets look on the bright side, they may have moved on , would they be old enough to fly yet? Lets hope all is well and they are safe and snug somewhere.

[Toots]

Oh,T.R.

Sorry to hear about your duck family.I suspect mum is being a good mum and survivor and taking her wee brood away to waters new to avoid the maggie attacks.

She wouldn't know about the human guard so is doing her best I suspect.Maybe you will see them back when older.Toots :-\

[TrailRat]

YAY, mummy duck was back today but without her brood. I hope their well. It was kind of sereal <sic?> as she stood about 10 yards away from us all, closed her eyes and bowed her head before waddling off back to the canal. She made a break for a large section of shrubbery that has grown off the bank and into and over the water. I so do hope the babies are fine.

TrailRat

[Val]

 ;D brilliant, I expect she moved them to safer ground. Keep us posted Ratty, you could see the youngsters again, but grown up some, .....There once was an ugly duckling..la. la all fluffy and brown....natures good sometimes. ;D

[Multiveg]

123456789009-==

h hfghjfdg h dj djhdghj

[Toots]

Errr,what...  ?

Am I missing something here? ;D

[eileen]

??? it's ok Toots I haven't got a cue either!!!!  :-\


Eileen.

[Mrs Ava]

 ;D MV, now I understand these cryptic postings!  ;D

[Val]

 ;D Thought it was me, glad to know others don't get it, wondered if it was a secret sign I should recognise. ;D ;D

[Yellow Petals]

TR, did you ever see the ducks again?  I wondered if you might have seen them wandering about as "grown ups"?