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Why only Mallards on canals?

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  • 15-09-2010 8:37pm
    #1
    MB Lacey
    Registered Users Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭


    Why don't more different kind of ducks use the Grand/Royal Canal in Dublin?
    If there's several species of birds to be found of the canal (Cormorants, Little Grebes, gulls, moor hens, mute swans..others I'm forgetting) .. why aren't there several types of ducks using the canal?


    Is it to do with Mallards being the most adjusted to heavy urban environments?
    Is there more of a variety of ducks on the canal outside of city centres?

    Just wondering.. :rolleyes:
    Tagged:


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    #2
    stevensi
    Registered Users Posts: 421 ✭✭stevensi


    Hi,

    I think the canals in the city centre would not attract many types of ducks besides Mallard and some tufted ducks who seem oblivious to humans unless of course they get some bread from them. I think another reason is that canals are quite narrow and so there is always the fear of predators getting to them. Go to a lake and the ducks tend to stay out in the middle of the lake and that of course makes a lot of sense to protect them from land predators such as fox or mink etc.

    Also most of the duck species we get here tend to favour the sea or brackish lakes close to the coast. But that is not to say that if you keep your eyes out a rare duck may turn up on the canal one day...that's the joy of birding.


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    #3
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    These Ducks are semi domesticated. Many of the Mallard on our Urban waters are captive bred and released by local environmental groups or gun clubs.

    Also, different duck species have different feeding requirements and canls suit Mallard and Tufted.


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    #4
    MB Lacey
    Registered Users Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭MB Lacey


    Thanks stevensi and srameen.
    I love asking a question on these boards and getting the answer..


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    #5
    tim_holsters
    Registered Users Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭tim_holsters


    Malcolm Mealy Fluid wrote: »
    These Ducks are semi domesticated. Many of the Mallard on our Urban waters are captive bred and released by local environmental groups or gun clubs.

    Also, different duck species have different feeding requirements and canls suit Mallard and Tufted.

    Gun clubs actually breed ducks? Makes sense I suppose, but does this really happen?


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    #6
    Feargal as Luimneach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭Feargal as Luimneach


    MB Lacey Head out to sandymount strand (winter) for some Red breasted merganser, goldeneye and shelduck. You can get close views especially if you have telescope.


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    #7
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    tim_holsters wrote: »
    Gun clubs actually breed ducks? Makes sense I suppose, but does this really happen?

    No! I just made it up. I always come on here to mislead!:rolleyes:

    Yes, it happens right across the country.


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    #8
    tim_holsters
    Registered Users Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭tim_holsters


    Malcolm Mealy Fluid wrote: »
    No! I just made it up. I always come on here to mislead!:rolleyes:

    Yes, it happens right across the country.

    No need to get smart, I was genuinely surprised is all.


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    #9
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Fair enough but "does this really happen" suggested more than surprise. But, fair enough.


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