Duck diary
Downy duckling day countdown
Posted on 20th May 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
With just one week left to go, the Duckery at Slimbridge is a scene of frenzied cleaning! Between the 25th of May and the 2nd June we will open our doors for a fabulous and free programme of tours for …
Continue readingThe elusive Cape shoveler update
Posted on 15th May 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
Just look at that beak! Our lone Cape shoveler duckling was graduated outside onto a grassy paddock at the beginning of last week. In just 9 days the whole group have started to shed their down and in their place &hellip[...]
The Orinoco geese demand attention
Posted on 7th May 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
I think I’ve gushed about Orinoco geese enough in the past, but there’s always time for more! These lovely orange-legged beauties look like butter wouldn’t melt, but just take a look at this male’s[...]
Hand-reared Nenes all grown up
Posted on 5th May 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
The Nenes are growing at a remarkable rate! I have inserted below a range of photos designed to make you smile Happy Bank Holiday! The Nenes check out the camera after at least 10 minutes of plucking up the courage. &[...]
Cape shovelers "say no" to breeding defeat
Posted on 1st May 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
Mrs. Cape is a dedicated egg layer, but not a very good nest builder. Sadly these two things really need to come hand in hand with being a successful mother… Her first effort in 2013 was way back in early … <[...]
Argentine Ruddy ducks hatch and thrive
Posted on 29th April 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
Looking absolutely gorgeous, these Argentine ruddy ducks (3) have been a welcome early addition to the Duckery numbers this season. Hatching, or almost exploding from their eggs in a flurry of eggshell, these [...]
Nene families struggle this Spring
Posted on 23rd April 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
Could mum (standing) look any more knackered? The poor thing sat on her nest for 28 days of hardship this February/March, one of the coldest extended Springs we have seen at WWT Slimbridge for many a year… [...]
Avicultural excitment over Pygmy geese
Posted on 20th March 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
The gorgeous new pair of African pygmy geese on exhibit in the Tropical house at WWT Slimbridge have finally got the Avicultural staff excited! The pygmy goose is regarded as a difficult species to keep happy in captivity[...]
South African black duck nesting observations
Posted on 18th March 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
The South African black ducks have been nesting for nearly three weeks now. Although considered of Least concern in the wild, these birds are rare in captivity and although they do not command a high price they prove [...]
The black swans do what they best; breed
Posted on 14th March 2013 by Phoebe Young @ Slimbridge
She’s such a proud mum, and so she should be! This black swan pair are a virtual power house of breeding ability. Still with their babes from 2012 in the pen, they have hatched out their cygnets for 2013 on &hellip[...]
