Well, ok, it was 7.30 and it was geese not ducklings but other than that I identify with “Clementine”.  Using a stick, I opened the goose house (we have brought the geese back up to the orchard for the winter and they sleep in their winter house in the duck run) and then called out “off you go” as they filed out of their sleeping quarters.  I stood behind them with a stick and we marched down to the pond where they can swim and graze the grass all day until sunset.  So far I haven’t fallen “in the foaming brine” but there’s always a first time!