Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Ducks living in cities often breed in flower pots on balconies and roof terraces, as these offer a sheltered spot. But it is challenging for them to safely move their babies to a nearby lake or river after they hatch.
Marc Engler and his colleagues at the NABU Berlin wild bird centre have been helping mallard ducks move for several years. Once the chicks hatch, the journey to the water can be life-threatening.
Engler and his team are receiving more calls to help these ducks. Last year, they had reports of 200 mallard broods, though the true number of ducks breeding close to humans is likely far higher.
The relocation assistance helps the ducks, but there is also a risk that the birds will become too accustomed to this service in the long term. Ideally, people should go into their balconies often to discourage ducks from breeding there.
