Two weeks ago, five female Common Eiders and at least 13 of their ducklings appeared in Great Cove, roaming together like a feathered flotilla. Two days later, the convoy had 11 ducklings. On July 11, when this image was taken, there were six ducklings. (One was lollygagging out of frame.)
The probable cause of the phenomenon was seen last week: one of our resident Bald Eagles was diving on the squawking flotilla and the adult Eiders were diving deeply; the ducklings apparently didn’t yet know how to dive deeply. (Brooklin, Maine)