20 May 2009
We have been getting a number of calls about ducklings over the past few weeks. Mallard ducks have a tendency to nest in gardens and other strange places such as under hedges and even in bushes on grass verges.
Mallards will lay an egg a day for anything up to 14 days, but only once the whole clutch has been laid will she begin to incubate them.
She will sit for 28 to 30 days in total. Despite the eggs being laid over 14 days, the ducklings will hatch rapidly over a few hours and are able to stand and run around and even feed for themselves. The mum is necessary to their survival, providing warmth and protection from predators. She will then lead her ducklings to the nearest water source, which unfortunately can lead to problems. Every year WRAS gets called to ducklings that fall down drains or are run over.
Like all birds, mallard ducks are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act and while nesting they should not be disturbed. Also once they are grown they should not be touched. If they start wandering they should be shepherded to the nearest source of water.
It is important to keep control of mum as this will ensure the whole family goes in the right direction. They must be walked slowly to ensure mum doesn't get too frightened and abandons her youngsters.
Orphaned ducklings give out a very loud distress call, but before assuming they have been abandoned it is always best to observe from a distance to ensure mum has not just flown to chase off a predator.
Ducklings can feed themselves but they must not be confined to water as they are not waterproof and can chill very easily or even drown.
Another bird commonly thought to be orphaned is the owl.
They are very adventurous birds and will often wander out of their nests only to find they cannot climb back up. Again, it is best to watch from a distance to check if the parents return before deciding if a young owl is actually orphaned.
If possible, an owl can be returned to its nest, but be aware that parent birds can inflict a nasty injury with their beak or claws. If you do find a real orphan it will need to be hand-reared and this is a specialist job, so please never be tempted to take an owl home and tame it – this is cruel and also illegal. They are quite unsuitable as pets.
One problem we have with young mammals and birds is people feeding milk to them.
Different species produce different milk specifically designed for their offspring and not always suitable for the offspring of other species. Birds do not produce milk. Please do not feed milk to any wild animal or bird as this can kill them. Like baby hedgehogs they will love the taste but it is bad for them.
Water is fine for all birds and animals but you should be careful as baby birds and mammals can inhale water and drown if it is not given properly.
This week we have had a couple of occasions to call in Sussex Police as people have boarded up or disturbed nesting birds on their properties. This is illegal under the Wildlife & Countryside Act.
Failure to stop them from nesting in the first place does not give anyone (including local councils and pest control companies) the right to disturb any bird, whether considered a pest or not.
Anyone concerned about a nest of birds they feel should be disturbed should seek advice from Natural England, which is part of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
ON May 27 WRAS will be at Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, off the A22 near Hailsham, for its Wildlife Wednesday event.
This is designed for children, with a whole series of displays and educational events and activities based around wildlife.
It is a great event and well worth a visit. I will be there showing video footage of our rescues as well as running a free colouring competition, so please come along and learn more about wildlife.
Finally, I would like to express our thanks to the Raystede Centre near Ringmer for providing WRAS with some aviary space to help with our rehabilitation of gulls.
East Sussex WRAS is a voluntary organisation which relies on donations. We do not receive funding from government nor the RSPCA. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact The Treasurer at PO Box 2148, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 9DE. www.wildlifeambulance.org 24-hour rescue line: 07815 078 234
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
