December duckling surprise at WWT Slimbridge
A duck has hatched a brood of ducklings out of season at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
The wild female mallard and her offspring are creating a stir among visitors and staff who would normally expect to see youngsters in the spring and summer months.
The ducklings are thought to be only two-days-old, over the next couple of weeks they will grow quickly and develop feathers.
Warden James Lees, who took the photos, said: “Occasionally ducklings do hatch quite far out of season at Slimbridge, but it is certainly a surprising sight to see the young family, especially during such cold weather. Many visitors are doing double-takes when they walk past her.
“It will be pretty challenging for her to bring up her young in these cold conditions but she is doing well so far and is being given extra grain by staff and visitors. We hope a few of her young will survive through to the New Year when they should be hardy enough to survive on their own.”
