Duck makes nest at Bristol's Albion Dockyard
Volunteers repairing the historic MV Balmoral at Bristol's Albion Dockyard have found themselves looking after the unusual stowaway, who's laid some eggs there
Volunteers helping to return the historic MV Balmoral boat back to pleasure cruising on the Bristol Channel are now looking after a stowaway!
A Mallard duck has been spotted making a crumpled pile of tarpaulin in the Albion Dockyard into a nest for her eggs.
The work's being carried out on the ship thanks to a grant from the National Lottery.
Unfazed by all the noisy activity around her, the duck made a cosy nest in a crumpled pile of tarpaulin and settled down to lay her eggs, calmly waiting for them to hatch, safe from the usual predators.
Normally this takes some 28 days, by which time the ship may have been re-floated and returned to her berth alongside M Shed to welcome thousands on board during this year's Bristol Harbour Festival from July 19-21, when she will lead community events on the water.
Wherever the happy event takes place, there will just be the problem of getting the ducklings into the water, but the crew will be taking the advice of Secret World Wildlife Rescue in Highbridge, Somerset, to make sure all goes safely.
Dave Bassett, a trustee of the MV Balmoral, celebrating her 75th birthday this month, said: “The work being carried out on the ship, thanks to the National Heritage Lottery Fund grant, is vital if we are to get her cruising again, but, with the help of Secret World, we hope both our volunteers and the duck can get their jobs done.”