Creche

There are lots of eider ducks and their ducklings in the bay, being harassed endlessly by black back gulls and great skuas, known locally as bonxies. The eiders are excellent mothers and look after each others' ducklings as well as their own. This group of mothers and youngsters were just outside side the sitting room window this evening.

Normally you can hear them making little comforting noises to each other, but when they are threatened the mothers actually make a growling noise - very strange for a duck!