This spring I have seen ducks and their families in places that are nowhere near a pond or lake or river.
The other day whilst driving, I stopped to let a mother duck and her 8 ducklings pass in front my car in the middle of a busy road.
Why is it that ducks have the incentive to travel with such high risks especially the chance of losing their offspring?

This post was last modified: 28-05-2007 01:15 PM by sunshine.

What you have to remember is that ducks - and all other animals - evolved for thouasands of years without cars and traffic, and now they hsuddenly have to cope with busy roads. That said, I have never had a duck and 8 ducklings cross the road in front of me!

We were discussing Springwatch at work yesterday & I was releating the tale about the duck wanderings. She says where she lives her road is split in two by a 4 lane ring road (I know it also) on the opposite side of the ring road there is a pond with canada geese on it. They have taken to walking down that section crossing the ring road & walking down her road. It is a very picturesque little street all the houses being old mill-workers stone cottages in a little backwater. All the neighbours hear them coming stop what they are doing & go outside to watch the 2 geese waddle down the street followed by 5 goslings. She does not know where they are going but I have asked her to follow them & find out if she can.