The long-awaited change in weather came just in time for these ducklings as they have lived to be able to take their first swimming lesson. The Mallard ducklings left the safety of the grassy river bank to take to the water behind their mother.
The 10 fluffy, yellow and brown ducklings followed mum from the sunny banks of the River Leven in the picturesque town of Stokesley, North Yorkshire, down to the water's edge.
They hesitated slightly before plunging into the flowing river below. Instantly bobbing and gliding along the water, under the watchful eye of mother, these new springtime editions were a joyful sight.
Female Mallards on average lay around eight to 12 eggs which they incubate for 28 days. Once the ducklings have hatched they depend on their mother for around 50 to 60 days before they fledge and become independent.
The mother duck tentatively approaches the water with her brood at the River Leven in Stokesley, North Yorkshire
Mother duck leads the way as she steps into the river with the ducklings getting ever-closer to the water's edge
As mother duck sets off downstream none of the ducklings has braved it into the water just yet
But the Mallard chicks soon take to the water and float along gracefully while paddling like mad underneath
The 10 ducklings came at just the right time - a week earlier and it could have been too cold for them to have survived
After having a swim, one duckling decides to use a stone at the side of the river as a diving board while another walks in the sunshine with its mother
The ducklings hesitate at first but then bobbed and glided along the water, under the watchful eye of mother
Two ducklings sit together after getting out of the river following their first short swim
The 10 fluffy, yellow and brown ducklings followed mum from the sunny banks of the River Leven in the picturesque town of Stokesley, North Yorkshire, down to the water's edge.
They hesitated slightly before plunging into the flowing river below. Instantly bobbing and gliding along the water, under the watchful eye of mother, these new springtime editions were a joyful sight.
Female Mallards on average lay around eight to 12 eggs which they incubate for 28 days. Once the ducklings have hatched they depend on their mother for around 50 to 60 days before they fledge and become independent.
The mother duck tentatively approaches the water with her brood at the River Leven in Stokesley, North Yorkshire
Mother duck leads the way as she steps into the river with the ducklings getting ever-closer to the water's edge
As mother duck sets off downstream none of the ducklings has braved it into the water just yet
But the Mallard chicks soon take to the water and float along gracefully while paddling like mad underneath
The 10 ducklings came at just the right time - a week earlier and it could have been too cold for them to have survived
After having a swim, one duckling decides to use a stone at the side of the river as a diving board while another walks in the sunshine with its mother
The ducklings hesitate at first but then bobbed and glided along the water, under the watchful eye of mother
Two ducklings sit together after getting out of the river following their first short swim