Donald and Daffy turning in their graves

I do agree with Martina O'Brien (re continuing duck saga) on one point, that being that we shouldn't feed wild creatures as what is provided by well-meaning folk is usually inappropriate.

It's like feeding your child nothing but fast food.

I do believe that we should make water available to them in our gardens.

But in all my 68 years, I've never heard of a child being "attacked" by a duck.

I've grown up with domestic ducks, even had my own for several years.

What possible damage could a duck do with those flat beaks?

We had a duck nesting in our tiny side garden and she pecked my hand when I filled up her water bowl.

I am still getting counselling for that.

As for fighting and mating at 2am, your average feathered friend turns off at dusk.

I suspect the noise Ms O'Brien heard was a duck being harassed by a cat that should have been locked inside at night.

I have never heard of or seen a male duck having any interest in his wife's procreation.

That is "secret lady's business".

I would rather put up with a little duck poo (which I have never smelled) than live in one of those inner city apartment blocks with the smell of human excrement, urine and vomit (plus the odd discarded needle).

The ducks on the Peninsula have entertained thousands of people.

Two ducks used to appear outside Peninsula Plaza every day, now gone.

The ones who used to cross Bourke Rd, also gone.

Donald and Daffy would be turning in their graves.

Letter, 3 Dec 2016

Craig Spears, Blackwall