Praise As Northfields Community Join Duck Rescue
Traffic stopped as mother and babies found wandering on Northfields Avenue
Tate, one of the teenagers involved in rescue
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It's certainly not an everyday occurrence but the Northfields community sprang into action to help a mother and her 5 baby ducks who were spotted on the busy shopping road.
Local resident, Natalie Oliver-Linehan, said she was looking out of her window and noticed 4 teenagers leading the family away from the road, trying to prevent them being run over.
She says, ''I ran out to stop the traffic and my daughters Claudia, and Savannah, helped with the ducks.''
They managed to get some food and directed the unusual visitors towards the garden but mother duck was very distressed and kept flying off - at one point very nearly getting hit by a bus.
Natalie continues, "All the kids including my own were so brave and stood in the road directing the cars away from the duck.''
The commotion soon attracted more attention and she says workers from local shops joined the rescue.
''The lovely staff at Looby Lu assisted with boxes and a passer-by, Madeline, helped retrieve a carry box from Alcombe vets. Sara at Colin Bibra estate agents advised that they had a quiet garden and shed. So I went with the babies whilst my daughters and the teens helped get mum.
"Thankfully, mum heard the babies and I managed to cover her with a towel and put her back with her babies. Then another lovely lady, Bernie, offered to drive the ducks to the pond at Walpole Park and 3 of the teenagers went with her.''
Seeing the family all being put back in the water after the ordeal was a huge relief and an incredible feeling.
Natalie says, ''Mum got put in first and then the babies got out and they happily swam off together. It was such a proud moment knowing a bunch of strangers came together and worked as a team. Kids these days get a bad reputation sometimes and it was just so nice to see such kindness and patience and maturity from all.''
The teenagers were from Ealing Fields High School ; Tate, Tabitha, Julia, Jake and Abbey - all aged 13 with 14-year-old Claudia from Elthorne High School and Savannah, aged 10, from Fielding Primary.
Saved by Northfields community - safe and back in the water
Local Councillor David Millican said, "What a fantastic community effort with students from Ealing Fields High School, Elthorne Park High school and Fielding Primary School with staff from local shops and Colin Bibra all supporting Mother Duck and her family. Every time I walk past the lake in Walpole Park it will make me smile and think of this community spirit."
Well done to all!
Annemarie Flanagan
(All pictures and footage courtesy of Natalie Oliver-Linehan)
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July 29, 2021
