Duck Families

At Sanctuary Pond I have seen the first batches of ducklings for this season. There is a little family of 3 ducklings and another of 8 ducklings - all very tiny and timid as yet.

This is the little family of three ducklings. I am intrigued by them as Mum is a black duck with a white chest and Dad is the usual drake with green head. Of the 3 ducklings, 2 are black with white chests like their Mums and just one is the usual brown variety. Every year there is a different variety of colours - genetics in action.

The family with 8 ducklings is also interesting as there are two drakes and one female caring for the ducklings. I watched them over the last couple of days to see if it was just accidental, but no, there are two males involved.