Five ducklings are reportedly thriving after their eggs were rescued from a hazardous situation at a sewage treatment works in Totnes, Devon. The eggs were discovered in a nest perched precariously on floating debris, at risk of being swept away or destroyed within the facility.
The dramatic rescue unfolded when South West Water catchment technician James Blakesley and colleague Josh Corderoy were conducting routine maintenance at the Totnes site. They spotted the nest of seven eggs on the surface, noting its unstable position. Recognising the immediate danger, the pair acted quickly to prevent the eggs from falling into the sewage.
To facilitate the rescue, the workers improvised by padding a rubble sack and tethering it with rope to create a makeshift floating recovery device. Using a sample pole, they carefully nudged the eggs into the bag, an operation Mr Blakesley described as a "miracle" that none of the eggs broke during the process. All seven eggs were successfully recovered and taken home by Mr Blakesley for incubation.
Of the seven eggs, six successfully hatched. Five of these ducklings have survived and are now growing well under the care of Mr Blakesley and his family. They have reportedly settled into family life, with Mr Blakesley's daughter particularly enamoured with the new arrivals, repurposing her playhouse to provide them with an outdoor roaming space during warmer weather.
As the ducklings grow, plans are in place to transition them to a larger indoor enclosure before they are eventually moved to an old chicken coop situated near a stream and pond in the family's garden. This move aims to provide the birds with a natural environment conducive to their continued development, allowing them to make full use of the surrounding waterways.