The RSPB is urging people to keep an eye out for early hatching ducklings this easter, and they may crop up in the most random places!

During the Spring, the RSPB receives many calls from people reporting that they have ducks nesting in their gardens and even on their balconies or patios – a long way from the water you may expect them to chose. This is because safe nesting sites close to water can be difficult to find so ducks regularly move into other areas in search of an ideal home.

Ducks will try to be secretive to protect their eggs and will nest amongst your shrubs or beneath your hedge. Ducks will lay an egg a day for up to a dozen days and you may come across some nests which seem as though they have been abandoned. The RSPB advises anyone who comes across a clutch of eggs to leave them in place as the duck will return to complete the laying process and begin incubation.

Once the eggs hatch altogether, the mother will be anxious to get them to water quickly. The journey to water may well be across main roads, car parks or open fields. Sometimes a human escort would be welcomed!

We get more and more calls from people who have spotted ducks in their gardens or even at their places of work and it always surprises them as they are a bit bigger than your average garden bird!

It is perfectly natural for them to shelter under shrubs and bushes, and they can be left to their own devices whilst they are nesting. Keep an eye on them and ensure they have a supply of water and food as like any good mother they won't want to leave their young unattended!

Val Osborne

Head of Wildlife Enquiries

RSPB