Wildlife rescuers have stopped busy traffic at A2270 Eastbourne Road to escort a mother duck and her ten ducklings to cross safely.
The team from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service were called to Broad Road, Willingdon, which leads to the A2270.
When they arrived, the little family was at a garden in Oldfield Road.
There was no way out of the garden so the family walked southwards.
The rescuers had previously dealt with a similar situation last year so they knew where mother duck was going.
Accompanying the family, they walked down Tott View where a footpath led to the A2270 Eastbourne Road.
WRAS had an ambulance stationed there in case they walked to that direction.
Despite busy traffic, drivers stopped to allow the WRAS team to guide the family across the road safely.
The operation took place just before Easter.
One they arrived to a green verge near Morning Mill Farm, they headed to the pond.
Trevor Weeks said: “These rescues are always difficult and we have to balance the disturbance to humans and the welfare of the mum and ducklings which is difficult.
“She knows where she wants to go we just need to get her there safely.
“We are sorry for the short delay to the traffic as a result of her crossing the road.
“We only had one negative comment. We would really like to thank everyone for being so patient and caring today especially a Hobbs Recovery Service vehicle who stopped and help hold up traffic safely”
Video of WRAS rescuers escorting family of ducks. Video sourced from East Sussex WRAS.
Mr Weeks explained it is normal for ducks to nest in gardens and walk their ducklings to the pond as soon as they are 24-hours-old.
“Catching mum and all the duckling is risky and could cause mum to abandon her family or you could lose some of the ducklings as they scatter into bushes and vegetation.
“More importantly if you take them to the wrong location the mum is highly likely to walk off again once rescuers have left.
“So we have to weigh up the safety of walking them, against any dangers along the potential route to both them, rescuers and the public including potential traffic accidents as well as the risk of capture.”
WRAS reported they have been called out to 35 incidents during the spring and summer seasons.
Mr Weeks added: “Not all locations need us to attend, some location are safe enough for us to just advice callers what to do, but in situations like this we generally have to attend.”
