Lucky escape for family of ducks outside Darlington restaurant

The ‘Mallard Mam’, as one concerned onlooker called her, was in distress after having dropped one of her ducklings.

But fortunately the canopy below the planter cushioned its fall.

More drama ensued though as ‘Mallard Mam’ dropped a further two ducklings, this time landing on the ground.

Shocked faces as two ducklings fell from the planter to the ground. Picture: AJA DODD

Outside diners and passers-by stopped to watch the real-life David Attenborough programme unfold as members of staff went onto the balcony to try to reunite the ducklings with their mother.

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The ducklings survived despite being dropped, much to the relief of the small crowd that had formed on Blackwellgate.

“That baby one scared me there when he fell,” one onlooker said.

“She's dropped her babies!” another said.

James Frankland, manager of Uno Momento said: “They come here every year. They stay for a few months and then wander down there to the river (gesturing in the direction to the Market Square and beyond).

“There’s seven ducklings. They’ve been there for a few days. Two of the ducklings fell on the ground and then two of the others (staff members) got up on the balcony and put them back in the flower bed. The ducks make a nest there every year.”

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