Ducklings rescued from Oulton drain

This family of newborn ducklings that fell and became trapped in a drain were rescued in Oulton yesterday by a trio of county council highways workers.

The five ducklings, thought to be just three days’ old, became trapped in the gulley on Kibblestone Road in Oulton, near Stone, at 8am yesterday.

The team were alerted to the incident by concerned residents who spotted the young birds but could see no sign of their mother.

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The ducklings were all unharmed and were taken to the nearby British Wildlife Rescue Centre at Amerton Farm in Stowe-by-Chartley. They will be housed in an incubator until their feathers are full enough to keep them warm, when they will then move into a special shed before joining other ducks on the pond.

It is hoped that they will be released back into the wild at a local beauty spot when they are around three months’ old.

County Councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said the team’s quick action had saved the ducklings’ lives. He said: “It was very lucky that members of the community alerted us to the situation and that the crew was able to rescue them before they came to any harm.

“The highways team does some tough jobs, braving snow and ice to grit the roads, clearing up fallen trees when gale force winds blow and maintaining and upgrading the road network. But this rescue shows they are a very soft-hearted bunch.”

Dawn Blacker, manager at the British Wildlife Rescue Centre, added: “The ducklings are settling in very well and were very lucky that they were found. We are keeping them nice and warm in the incubator at the moment and will monitor them closely to make sure they grow and develop as they would have done if their mother was with them.

“We would like to see them back in the wild in around 12 weeks’ time but in the meantime, people can visit them, and our 52 other ducks, seven days a week and keep an eye on their progress.”

The British Wildlife Rescue Centre is based at Amerton Farm, off the A518, and is open 10am-5pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.