Please be aware that Daphne is a wild duck, she is not restricted in any way but chooses to fly back to us around Easter each year to lay her eggs and raise her babies.

She arrives in to a secure garden with an ornamental pond that has 3 storey buildings to all 4 sides. It is only accessible from above or through the buildings. So they are safe from most predators.

At around 7 to 8 weeks of age, just before their flight feathers come in, we move them to a half way house on a nearby smallholding with 2 ponds so they can practice flying in safety before making their way in the world.

As of 2025 we are in our nineth year of Daphne coming to us. Over the years we have learned a great deal about wild ducks, their habits and needs.

We have had many successes and a few sad moments. Out of the 130 eggs Daphne has produced over this time she has successfully raised 118 to adulthood. No mean feat when you consider that, in the wild, she would be lucky to have 1 survive from each clutch.

2024 was a particularly sad year when, through illness, 5 of the original 10 passed away over the course of 2 weeks. Daphne then hatched 11 more when the first clutch were just 6 weeks old.

Sadly, not all of the second clutch made it but those that did grew in to strong, healthy birds.

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