Help scientists solve the declining duck mystery

Budding biologists are needed to help researchers explore why duck numbers are declining in England.

#Essexducks is seeking help from schoolchildren, families, bird watchers, walkers, farmers, and landowners by asking them to take a photo when they spot a mallard duckling brood in the wild.

It is hoped that with volunteers’ help the University of Essex will find out why the country’s winter population has dropped by an estimated 36% since 1995.

School of Life Sciences PhD student Hannah Coburn is leading the research and hopes the public can help her build large data sets across Essex, England, and the UK.

Hannah said: “Despite being a common bird, there is still a surprising amount that we don't know about mallards, how productive they are, how many of their ducklings survive or even what their preferred habitats are during summer.

“Information about the number and ages of ducklings, and of older duckling broods in particular is key to understanding how Mallards are faring in contemporary Britain.

“We very much welcome anyone in Essex to get involved, but records from across the United Kingdom are as important.

“People of any age or expertise can get involved to help us build up a picture of what's happening with ducks in Essex, southeast England or indeed UK wide.

“Citizen science projects such as this are hugely valuable in the research and conservation of our wildlife.”

Beauty spots

Volunteers can head to beauty spots, wetlands and city centre ponds and local parks to look for the birds.

As well as the citizen science project the team will use GPS tags to investigate how mallards use the landscape during the breeding season.

Nest and brood surveys will take place at Abberton Reservoir, near Colchester, Essex, and the movement of female mallards in the breeding season will also be explored.

Hannah is working with Professor Tom Cameron on the study.

Professor Cameron said: “We welcome observations from anyone from anywhere in the UK in this work.

“The productivity of many of our common birds, especially those that nest on the ground, are changing rapidly and we are very keen to find out how Mallard are doing.

“So whether it’s from an urban park, remote river or a mallard brood in a coastal borrowdyke or walking across a wheat field – we want to hear from everyone.”

How to take part

To take part simply email here to report the size, age and location of broods so scientists can better understand how many ducklings survive to become fully grown.

As most people struggle to age ducklings, pictures can also be sent to this address with the number of ducklings seen in the brood and its date and approximate location.

More details on the duckling survey and how to estimate the age of ducklings can be found online