Small ducklings are always vulnerable to being picked off by gulls, herons and even large fish, like pike. But this mother has been working over time to keep the babies safe, and has even been spotted launching herself into the air to attack Lesser Black-backed gulls that have come too close for her liking.

Toby Wilson, RSPB Scotland Conservation Officer for Glasgow, said: “It’s not particularly unusual for ducks to have large broods, but this is exceptionally large. What’s remarkable about this family, however, is that the mother is being so protective of her ducklings and is managing to keep them so safe”.

There are similar super mums at Bingham’s Pond in the west end of Glasgow who are busy looking after a total of 67 youngsters. The largest brood is currently 15.

It is thought that sometimes with large broods not all the youngsters are related and the mother duck is acting as a foster parent.

Auchinlea Park Pond has recently undergone a controlled naturalisation process, making it a better environment for both people and wildlife. The work included creating shallows round part of the sides and also planting hundreds of aquatic plants such as Yellow Flag-iris and Water Forget-me-not, to create habitats for animals such as insects. The work was paid for by GCC’s Land & Environmental Services, who manage the park, assisted by a grant from Scottish Natural Heritage.

Bingham’s Pond was naturalised in 2003 by GCC, and has been a great success. The number and variety of breeding waterbirds has increased, and more young are surviving to adulthood.

For more information about the Bingham’s Pond project click here.
 

Male Tufted Ducks are handsome birds, black with a white flash on the sides, and a small crest or ‘tuft’ at the back of their heads. They’re a little smaller than Mallards and can be seen on ponds and other bodies of water throughout lowland Scotland.

For more information about birds, go to www.rspb.org.uk