THE balmy autumn weather has encouraged a duck to hatch a new family on the River Stour in Canterbury – months ahead of the traditional nesting season.

But her brood of 10 ducklings has already been reduced to just four – most probably falling victim to rats or foxes on the river bank.

This week the remaining fluffy youngsters were busy playing in the river – ironically near Duck Lane – with mum keeping a watching guard.

But nature experts fear the last four siblings will not survive for much longer either.

Jo Haskett of the Kentish Stour Country Project said: “It is most unusual to see ducklings at this time of year because like most birds, they usually hatch in the spring.

“But the prolonged period of mild weather we have been having and the consequent availability of food can often trick wildlife. Unfortunately, mother ducks are not particulary good at their job and generally lose quite a few offspring at the best of times.

“They can also choose some most inappropriate nesting places. We found a mallard egg in a barn owl box up a tree once.

“Sadly, I think the chances of these remaining duckling surviving is pretty slim, particularly if the weather turns colder and the river swells and starts to flow fast.”

WORDS: GERRY WARREN