Owl adopts two ducklings who hatched in her nest

A tawny owl is acting as surrogate mother to two ducklings born 30ft (9.1m) up a tree after their natural mother laid her eggs in the wrong nest.

Mary Hartley was expecting to see owlets after four eggs appeared in her nest box in Marple Bridge, Stockport.

But when she checked a nest box camera she was surprised to find two Mandarin ducklings jumping around inside.



Despite the perilous height of the box, Mrs Hartley said they would eventually climb out and "float down".

Even though the ducklings' surrogate mother is a predator, she has shown no sign of aggression towards them.

"She's been very good," Mrs Hartley said. "She's been very caring, although it does confuse her a little when she tries to feed them with meat - because of course they don't like it."

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