I love it when spring comes as baby animals start to be seen. However, for some baby animals it can be very hard for them.
One of the baby animals I love to see are ducklings. Where I live in West Norfolk there are lots of ducklings born every year and I see how hard it is for them. They must watch out for predators like seagulls that take them to eat them, especially when they are trying to keep warm and safe with their mummy.
Another issue they have that happens every year is that they fall down drain grids when they are crossing the road. This means that the duckling could die unless someone can reach down to get them out.
When crossing roads, cars can hit them if they do not see them or are they are driving too fast. All these issues can make it hard for ducklings and their mummy.
However, there can be things put in place to help them with these issues.
When it comes to predators and the weather, an idea to help them is to make duck houses that can be put in people’s front gardens. They could be made from wood or a reused kid’s playhouse. These would give ducklings somewhere to stay and to be safe.
To help ducks not get hit by cars, areas that have ducks could have road signs to get people to slow down and stop when they see them.
With the drain issue, a temporary measure should be to have biodegradable mesh netting secured under it to help stop ducklings going through them. This would also stop any rubbish going into the drains and ending up in lakes and seas.
A permanent solution is that local councils in areas that have ducks like in West Norfolk – Heacham, Snettisham and Hunstanton – could change their drain grids to ones with smaller holes which would permanently stop ducklings falling into them, and stop rubbish permanently going down into them as well.
If anyone sees an injured duck or duckling(s) without their mummy, then they should take them to their local rescue centre.
I hope that people and councils will read this and help the ducklings. They do not have a voice so we can be their voice and help them.
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