I have written before about how the coots in the east basin of St Katharine Docks have discovered that the rudder of the boat in the photo below makes a convenient perch for grooming and that I am used to seeing them there. Today, though I was given a surprise.

Occupying the perch today was not a coot but a female Mallard duck. While I was watching her, I had another surprise.

She hopped off the rudder and started swimming away and as she did so, three ducklings popped out from the shadow of the pontoon and took after her!

The coloured speckles are light reflected off the ripples caused by the movement of the ducks and the camera has not managed to deal with them very well.

After moving a short distance, the group stopped swimming and remained floating quietly in the sunshine.

Mallards don’t seem to frequent this basin so it will be interesting to see whether they stay or whether this was just a visit.