Two pairs of Wood ducks, Chenonetta jubata, have made it with their new families to the lake in the Reserve. They typically face roads, speeding cars, and family dogs on their way down to the water, with many ducklings in tow.
One family, seven ducklings
Another family, 14 ducklings
It was lovely to stand quietly and watch as the parents of this family (above) shepherded their bundles of fluff around the lake. The very protective parents faced off a bathing magpie, an imperious purple swamp hen and one of the bully-boy pair of domestic ducks that make the lake their home.
Magpie takes bath in popular bathing spot…
hops out to dry off a little…
sees male wood duck feeling protective…
…takes off!
Purple swamp hen (which are known to eat ducklings) puffs up when parents issue warning (while domestic ducks in background retreat with discretion)…
..takes a dance but retreats…
everyone scrambles up onto the bank.
Brash bully-boy mallard cross gets too close for comfort…
But, the female drives him off. Ducklings now resting against their mother’s warmth
The domestic duck castaways enjoy regular feeding by visiting children – although bread is not good for them or the wild water birds who also take advantage. (And the carp, unfortunately, also enjoy the visits.)
New platform area seems popular with children (they left the bread) and the water birds
Edward Hunter Heritage Bush Reserve 