Mallard and chicks - Anas platyrhynchos

[ladylouise62]

There was Mum with 6 chicks, and Dad riding shotgun.... he kept his distance but was always around.
A chick spotted this water-sodden bread and started on it and the rest followed. I am getting rather fed up of seeing so much rubbish in the water

I didn't get any decent shots in the water as the little bundles of fluff just didn't keep still, also I cocked up with the metering so they are all rather blown as well as unfocussed.

[rolf]

Yes, it's just criminal the amount of plastic rubbish in the rivers, not really sure what can be done about it.

[Chocky]

Nice captures Louise

I think it's about time shops stop having plasic carriers made . They use Brown paper sacks in the states. I wonder why we don't have that here. At leest paper is made from wood

[ladylouise62]

I remember when they changed from paper carriers to plastic in order to 'save the trees' (in the 70s?).... which was all a load of rubbish since they were cut from managed woods. I am seeing more paper carriers nowadays, and of course people are bringing their own bags so much more too. Also, they can make compostable bags (maybe not for heavy stuff, but for most uses), so more should be made of that.
Hopefully it will all sort out.

[Chocky]

Straw or wicker work baskets would be good. If they get chucked in ponds they make good natural nesting for birds or can go back to the soil if chucked in hedges

[Catherine]

Where was that, Louise?

You should send those photos to the BTO/RSPB/local newspaper, and also to the local council or ranger service responsible for that stretch of water. Then they could see about what might happen there - and how they could prevent it.

You make a very good point re. the original reason for changing from paper to plastic... What will we change to next?

(Still nice pics of a lovely family, Louise!)

[ladylouise62]

It's the Kennet and Avon Canal in the centre of town. Unfortunately, although it's kept reasonably clear, since it's town centre it gets a lot of stuff on a daily basis... and some of it is when people come with carriers of bread for the ducks and they just throw the whole lot in!!!!!