Wild Duck - breeding season

[Scarlet]

Every year a pair of ducks visit my garden and slowly make their way to the pond at the entrance to my drive. They successfully hatch their brood but then vanish several days later. Do they get killed? There is a river nearby but I really can't see baby ducks getting there...any clues anyone? I always feel sad when they disappear and wonder if I should kick them off the pond.

Ponds full of duckweed but they don't seem to mind it.

[dogsbody]

Unless you know of any predators being around I suspect they make their way to the nearest large bit of water, like the river you mention. They can travel distance.

[iGrow]

Rats love ducklings...

[Scarlet]

That's what I thought I preferred the idea that they would somehow walk them to running water