Duck turns up at RSPB reserve with 27 ducklings in tow

A duck at an RSPB reserve in Renfrewshire astounded staff and visitors when she turned up with a brood of 27 ducklings in tow. The mallard has been spotted at the Lochwinnoch reserve's feeding station.

As the usual brood size is 10-14, it is thought another duck may have laid its eggs in her nest. Manager Zul Bhatia said: "Normally, the female would reject any ducklings that weren't her own, but this one has seemingly decided to raise all 27."

He added: "This is no small task by any means. To see 27 ducklings was a bit surprising."

However, it seems that the duck has already lost a few ducklings to predators, as at the last count she only had 24. Lochwinnoch nature reserve is one of the last remaining wetlands in the west of Scotland.