Miracle mallards: ducklings hatch in November
A mallard at London Wetland Centre has hatched a clutch of 11 ducklings, about six months later (or perhaps earlier?) than usual. The ducklings, which should have made an appearance sometime between April and June, are enjoying the winter sunshine on the entrance lake at the Centre.
The latest that mallard ducklings would normally hatch is August, but that tends to happen when a clutch has failed and the adults try for a second brood.
The warm winter weather has caused a flurry of other unseasonal events at WWT London Wetland Centre.
Temperatures of 16C and clear blue skies proved too much for a couple of peregrines which were seen paddling, up to their breasts, off a shingle island in the main lake last weekend. These spectacular falcons, famed for their efficient hunting skills, looked more like a couple on a beach holiday than birds which are capable of decapitating their prey in flight.
What’s more, some very dazed daffodil shoots sprang up within the grounds of the wetland centre, fooled into thinking that spring has arrived before winter has even started. Bats and dragonflies have also been spotted hunting over the reserve.
However, in the reed beds on the other side of the lake a bittern was showing, having arrived at the Centre three weeks ago in order to spend the winter here.
Apart from these unusual wildlife sightings, this is also a wonderful time to visit London Wetland Centre because the colourful water birds that do choose to spend the winter here – such as teal, wigeon and shoveler - are arriving in full force.
