The Fab Fur Four

As the annual whirligig Broadland season begins ~ where the clatter of boating and commerce collides with the natural fluttery cycle of waterfowl breeding; inevitably haphazard events occur. Telephone calls from a concerned visiting family and word of mouth messages via the riverbank were received about a lost clutch of ducklings ~ part of the fragmented mallard duck clan, born within a stone's throw of the old low arch of Wroxham Bridge. The group consisted of five. One splintered off and four clung together like mud around the quay at the corner of King's Staithe. Step in a group of gallant lads supping beers at the King's Head Hotel gardens, who swiftly picked the fur birds out of the chilly waters just before dusk. The chirpy ducklings were then planted in a cardboard box awaiting transit to Leanne's duck sanctuary. Leanne explains: "They're all tucked up under the 'brooder' (an enclosed unit wth bedding, food, water and a heat element to rear baby birds). Fortunately, they don't seem as stressed as the one on its own. All 4 are doing well. One is particularly sassy and clearly will be very bossy." * All parties involved sanitised their hands after the mini dramatical rescue. Leanne, Chris