Ducks

By Janelizabethg at 19:06 on 15/07/09

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Where have all the ducks gone in Marlborough.During the weekend there was not a single duck on the water between Town Mill and Figgins Lane.Just the odd coot and moorhen.And beyond the bridge at Figgins lane there was nothing at all.
Was it the noise of the music?Was it the many visitors? Is it that they do not appreciate the alterations to their river bank.
Some ducks have now come back, but in nothing like the numbers we used to have.I miss them. Where have they gone?

By Janelizabethg at 19:06 on 15/07/09
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The problem, or should we just say decline in number of female ducks mostly, is mink. A large number of females were killed last spring and there have been more killed this year. It has to be said, there have been ducks in huge numbers in Marlborough in recent years - also creating something of a problem. The rats feeding on food intended for the ducks are an even bigger problem. For more information on this subject - look at the Action for the River Kennet website. There are some little notices through Coopers Meadow on the lamp posts as well. During the weekend they indeed all seemed to go into hiding - obviously not Jazz fans!

By BusyBee2007 at 19:55 on 15/07/09
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I did see some on Sunday, Maybe the Dutch Swing Band was more to their liking!

By Holly_Berry at 20:35 on 15/07/09
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That aggressive male swan was busy on jazz day. He was attacking some innocent revelers who were trying to get from one stage to another. I put my open brolly between him and them and we were all able to get past safely.

With regards to the ducks, unpopular as this will make me, people should be encouraged not to feed them. It's bad for the eco-system, bread isn't good for ducks' tummies, and the food attracts rats which, even with the jazz festival in full swing, were happily running around the riverbank at the Priory Gardens - hardly a good advertisement for the town.

Oh, and don't forget that ducks of another variety are returning to town this weekend, when the Ducklings toy shop opens in Hilliers Yard.

By Secret Agent Marketing at 12:30 on 16/07/09
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