Duckling Huddle

Wood Duck, Chenonetta jubata

STORMS in the mountains can happen at any time of the year. Snow in summer is rare but it does happen, and when it does, its often just a dusting and melts quickly. Although not quite summer, the storm that hit the mountains in late November 2022 was definitely unusual. This storm was a product of a cold southerly system fuelled up by tropical moisture that provided enough cold air for a foot of snow that lasted two days.

Knowing that something strange was surely to be found with such late season snow I headed up the mountain with high hopes. It wasn’t till late afternoon that I pulled into Smiggin Holes. With snow piled up on all sides of the road I could see there was an odd shape in the wheel rut. Like a bag flapping in the wind, it was dark brown with flecks of white. On a closer look I could see it was a duck, but it just didn’t look right, it looked very oddly proportioned.

It wasn’t till the wind stopped blowing that the duck stood up revealing 9 fresh baby ducklings. Obviously newly hatched in a tree nearby they had become lost in the snow drift on the way to their first swim and safety.

Moving from the road things did not become easier, the wind would blow, and the little ducklings would be blown away, the mother would chase after the tumbling individuals only to have the ones she had left also blow away. It was a hard scene to watch and also adorable at other moments.

As time progressed it was apparent that the local ravens had also seen the potential snack sized meals being blown around. I decided to break a rule of not interfering and started to herd the little family to the creek. Eventually after a few protests from mum we reached the water, mother jumped straight in and with a few nervous jumps the little ducks were in the water, tucked under their mum and looking much happier.