Crèche

22 young Shelducks, 20 in this photo and 2 more were on an adventure further along the estuary with an adult in close attendance. Shelducks commonly leave their young with auntie and uncle until they fledge, flocks of up to 30 are not uncommon.
Like other ducks after breeding, Shelducks moult their feathers. All Shelducks, except those bred during the year, need to renew wing and tail feathers simultaneously. For about four weeks they are unable to fly at all. During this stage they are very vulnerable, and to deal with this the Shelducks gather together before their moult, often in enormous concentrations.