Saving the village pond duck house

THE ducks that live in a wooden house in the middle of Hartley Wintney village pond can sleep more soundly now as a result of an operation carried out by Hart District Council’s Countryside Service.

The platform on which the duck house has stood for many years, an old calf feeder, was in danger of collapsing. So a new one had to be built and placed alongside.

Then came the difficult bit. Using a crane the house and the old platform were lifted out of the pond and onto the nearby grass. There the bolts were removed and the house separated from the platform.

The crane was then used to lift the house back onto the new platform –without damaging any of the eggs inside. Within minutes the ducks were swimming their way back to their home.

The new platform has been designed to last for at least 20 years.

For further information contact Phillip Bacon on 01252 774106 or email phillip.bacon@hart.gov.uk