A gang of seagulls move in and take a duckling that was separated from the group. Picture: John GraingerSource: The Daily Telegraph

A mother duck was leading its brood of about 20 ducklings for a leisurely paddle on Narrabeen Lakes when one of the nestlings strayed from the group.

A nearby pack of seagulls swooped on the youngster like a discarded chip before the mother duck’s powerful maternal instincts kicked in and gave chase. Seagulls picked up the youngster by the head a number of times before the mother and another duck, which joined the fray, were able to rescue it shaken but unharmed.

Captured by The Daily Telegraph photographer John Grainger last Friday, the violent scene played out “for about a minute” before the seagulls gave up and flew away.

A gang of seagulls move in and snatch a duckling that was separated from the group. Picture: John Grainger

With the arrival of spring, NSW Bird Atlassers spokesman Bruce Knight said it was a familiar scenario across the state as hatchlings of various bird species fought for survival amid a plethora of predators.

A gang of seagulls move in and take a duckling that was separated from the group. Picture: John Grainger

Mother duck gives chase rescuing the baby unharmed but shaken. Picture: John Grainger

A gang of seagulls move in and take a duckling that was separated from the group. Picture: John Grainger