Duckie No 1 mother very sensibly made her nest in the duck house and she and her ducklings are (so far) doing well.  Duckie No 2 made her nest UNDER the duck house and came out every day to drink and stretch her wings.  I worried about her ducklings and how we would be able to help them.  No more.  She has now abandoned the eggs and has decided that they will not hatch.  I found her in the orchard just now where she must have flown over the fence to join the rest of the flock – quacking and stretching and generally making her presence felt. I filled a bowl with fresh water and Duckie began gulping and slaking her thirst.