Birdsong secrets revealed in 3D model

The BBC’s Gordon Corera says the code “may never be cracked”

Suzanne Pope runs a duckling rescue program from her St Morris home. Picture: Orr Helen Source: adelaidenow

It is a labour of love for the St Morris woman, who has been rescuing and relocating injured and orphaned animals for more than a decade.

“I grew up on a farm so I’ve always been around animals,” Mrs Pope, 60, says.

“Now I do whatever I can to make sure animals are looked after.”

Mrs Pope is especially busy this time of year as ducklings begin to hatch.

She has about 60 ducklings rescued from across Adelaide but expects this figure might double.

“The ducklings start hatching as early as July and we see little ones around until after Christmas.

“Some ducks even have two lots of ducklings.”

Mrs Pope says there are many things people can do to help ducklings.

“If you see a duckling without an adult, pick it up – it won’t survive on its own.

“Keep it warm and call Fauna Rescue.”

She encourages people to consider volunteering with Fauna Rescue.

“We are always looking for more volunteers.”

She says volunteers do not have to be animal experts.

“Sometimes we just need someone to pick up the ducks from the vets.

“But you are still saving a life.”

Contact Fauna Rescue on 8289 0896.

Ducks cross the road in Piara Waters. Picture: PerthNow reader.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has received a growing number of reports of ducks and ducklings crossing busy roads in recent weeks.

“Clutches of ducklings are emerging from tree hollows and nests away from the water’s edge,” DEC wildlife officer Emma Lipianin said.

“Many ducklings hatch away from water bodies and have a long journey ahead of them to get back to their nearest wetland, often crossing roads and cycle paths to get to their destination.

“While the sight of little ducklings waddling along after their mother is one of nature’s great displays, it can also be a major hazard for motorists and cyclists.

“Ducklings have been known to bring major highways to a halt, so we ask people to exercise caution on roads near wetlands and if they see ducklings on the road to take care to avoid them without endangering themselves or other road users.” 

Ms Lipianin said it was also important for people not to approach birds and their hatchlings.

“We encourage people not to approach them, feed them or interfere with them in any way,” she said.

Anyone who spots sick or injured wildlife can call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.

Overnight a family of ducks resumed residence in the Pool of Reflection which holds the eternal flame.

The mother, with her new ducklings, returns to the war memorial every year from Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.

Memorial spokeswoman Marylou Pooley said staff looked forward to the duck family taking up residence.

“It is lovely to see new life in a commemorative area that represents so much sadness,” she told reporters on Saturday.

“This year the timing of the ducklings’ arrival is even more poignant.”

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

August 28, 2012

Reporter   Glenda Kwek

A different family of ducks … spotted crossing Sailors Bay Road in Northbridge yesterday about 8.45am.Photo: Paris Edmunds

A family of ducks brought out the best in Sydney drivers this morning.

Up to seven ducks and ducklings ruffled a few feathers this morning when they ran in and out of citybound lanes on the M2 Motorway between Delhi Road and the Lane Cove Tunnel in North Ryde during peak hour. They caused “significant delays” just after 8.10am today, the NSW Transport Management Centre said.

But motorists took the time to drive slowly around the ducks, while a Hillsbus driver tried to shepherd the birds off the motorway, witnesses said.

“It appears that everyone was trying to help the ducks,” a NSW Police spokesman said, adding that police officers were called in to help the birds.

University student Maddie, one of the passengers on the Hillsbus 610, said her driver got off the bus just before the Lane Cove Tunnel.

“I thought there’d been a crash, but he just got off the bus and started ushering them across the road to try and get them out of the way. It was actually pretty funny,” she said.

“Traffic had stopped a bit behind us, but he was very cautious. He didn’t run out in front of any cars.”

But the family of brown-striped ducks waddled back on to the road and the driver had to usher them off again before he returned to the bus.

“People [on the bus] were looking around, thinking there was a crash, but when … they saw what he was doing, everyone was like, ‘Awww,’ ” Maddie said.

When police officers arrived, they found one duck dead and that the five ducklings had entered the tunnel and escaped into a water channel, the spokesman said.

Judy Harrington of BirdLife Australia said the birds may have been Pacific black ducks, a native species that has black stripes on its face and is quite widespread in Sydney.

“They would have hatched in a hidden nest away from water and [the mother duck is] taking them to water and hopefully it’s connected to somewhere safe. All you can do is to ask people to keep their eyes out for them,” Ms Harrington said.

“I’ve heard of black ducks making nests in Darling Harbour in someone’s balcony. They are probably used to urban life, and they sometimes choose somewhere ‘hidden’ but it may not be a particularly appropriate spot.”

Ms Harrington said if people saw ducks crossing a busy road, they should try to guide the ducks and not pick them up, unless the situation was particularly dangerous and they had nowhere else to move to.

“If it was a really dangerous situation and there was simply nowhere safe for them to go, you could perhaps put the ducklings in a box and the mother would probably follow you.”

People who see ducks or other birds in danger can call WIRES (Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service) or Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services, she added.

Traffic was returning to normal just after 9am, although citybound buses were delayed by up to 30 minutes, the Transport Management Centre said.