I took a stroll through Regent's Park yesterday morning and wouldn't you know it, just days after seeing my first Tufted Ducklings, I saw not one, but three more groups of them. They were all within a small area of the boating lake and occasionally they met one another which led to some confusion as the females chased off those that were not their own and about twenty ducklings milled around in the water. However, there were two ducklings that were a short distance away from the larger groups and each time they approached, the females would chase them off. The two young Tuftys were old enough to be diving and foraging for food, but they didn't have the vigilance or protection of an adult. I watched as they swam around the lake and then they disappeared beneath the willow on the far bank. I didn't see them again for a few minutes, but when I did, they were part of a small family group, but not one that I was expecting...
Firstly, I saw this family of Tuftys
A second family approached and the females chased one another around
Meanwhile, the broods became mixed together! The females seemed to know which ducklings were theirs and after some flapping about and chasing off non-brood members, things settled down. A third family was about 10 yards away but did not become involved in the chaos.
Time to dry off and calm down
A short while later, on the far bank, near to the willow tree... Look closely and you will see this is no ordinary Mallard family
The female Mallard had accepted the two rejected Tuftys and was very defensive when approached by Coots or even the other Tufty families.
I'm not sure what she made of their continual disappearances below the water!
A slightly more conventional family. This female was one of those that had chased off the two orphans.
Another Tufty female that had rejected the two little ducklings
Keeping a wary eye on the Coots
The two families
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
Awww! That female mallard is a real star - perhaps the two young tufties are not considered competition by mallards? With only one chick of her own I imagine she will find it well within her capabilities to look after two more, even if they do disappear underwater regularly!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
I guess it's a Maternal instinct. The two ducklings were swimming around looking for Mum and the Mallard was the only one that didn't drive them away. They were slightly older than one of the groups of young Tuftys but seemed to be about the same size as the family that was nearest to them on the grass bank. The Mallard had obviously lost her own offspring, probably to the local Herons and these two were almost the same size as her own Duckling. I wonder how long they will remain together?
...and here's a short video clip...
Really good to see all those ducks and young MC. Some gorgeous pics there, the first shot of the youngster with its reflection in the water is fabulous. Glad to read the story and find the two have been adopted, lets hope they stay safe now. Lots of preening being done in the video, no wonder they are so buoyant.
Lot to learn
What can I say MC except another great story from your wanderings with such enchanting pics & that wonderful vid!! You give us such an insight into these ducks' lives, the joys as well as their struggle for survival & all interspersed with such amazing images of beautiful fluffy ducklings!! Thank you so much!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
What a lovely heart-warming post MC, life in the real world where a mum who has lost her babies takes on the care of 2 rejected ones. Ahhhh! I reckon these ducks could teach us a thing or two about instinct, love & kindness.
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France