Halleh, the single drake, non runner and group leader |
Another of the Indian Runners didn't come home the other night.
Like Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians ( the film version and NOT the novel BTW) their numbers have been whittled down from eight to six.
I think I know what has happened and I now blame the dreadful weather we have been experiencing as the run off from the fields has meant that the small stream that has always run quite peacefully at the back of the field has overflowed. The flooding has allowed the ducks to access the riding stable paddocks beyond my field, and yesterday I even caught the group crossing the lane down at the bridlepath, over 1000 yards from home.
When I saw them, I couldn't quite believe that I stood in the middle of the road pointing in the general direction of the cottage shouting a rather camp and surprising
"GET HOME!!!" to the group
Strangely enough the ducks then ran off obediently in the direction of the field!
And so the two ducks have either been taken by a fox when venturing out through the more dangerous parts of the fields or are both sitting on eggs under some hedge somewhere. I am hoping that both ducks could be sitting as they are now 2 years old, the right age for going broody
Only time will tell.....
ps.........the fickle finger of fate has just wagged itself at me again this morning as before I have even finished this blog, there was a knock at the door.
Could I take two young and very unwanted Aylesbury ducks from a woman who thought they would make ideal pets for her previously pristine herbaceous garden!
hey ho
off to pick the little buggers up in a few ticks