Many thanks to Gary & Karen Davis, Lodge owners at Highfields Retreat, who have submitted this photo having watched this mother duck build her nest, lay her eggs, and hatch her ducklings on their Lodge Deck, right in front of their window!

Gary was amazed to see mother duck find this safe refuge in a flower pot on his decking and with Karen, has enjoyed watching the progress every day, providing their ‘adopted’ duck and family to be with all the food she needed.

All the ducklings are doing well and growing everyday, wandering around the park and venturing into the water of our lakes. This clutch is one of several born at Highfields Retreat this year, along with Moorhen and Greylag Geese families too.