For the fourth year now, a pair of mallards visit our garden, arriving in early March - in fact, they arrived yesterday. The same pair, for sure, as they feed from hand and we're very familiar with the funny squeaks and mutterings, the duck doesn't 'squack' and the drake chutters continuously. Any ideas where mallards go to over the winter time? I know some remain, but this pair obviously wing it to somewhere warmer.
onwards and upwards ...
Hi Suze
As far as I know mallards stay in britain, They will be on lakes and ponds in winter. The ones you have now are probably looking for a nest sight.
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
Barnsley lad Hi Suze As far as I know mallards stay in britain, They will be on lakes and ponds in winter. The ones you have now are probably looking for a nest sight. Ray
Hi Ray,
I think they already have a nest site - their behaviour is the same year on year. The turn up for breakfast, nip into next door's pond, pop back in the afternoon then head off to the Basingstoke canal when dusk falls. They just seem to know when they're onto a good thing food wise. If they stay in Briatain, perhaps they over winter at a wetlands? Most of the ducks on the canal seem to disappear off somewhere. Thanks anyway. My regards to the Boddy's.
Suze