But hang on, what on earth is going on? Hi Viz, flight feathers? What’s happening with the ducks?

In May, much like last year, the ducks and the ducklings were being spooked at the beck as dusk fell. Was it an otter, known to be around, or a mink? No-one knew, but every evening a waddle of ducks and ducklings would exit the water, and into town they’d head, on and off the pavement to seek sanctuary in the Market Square car park.

But let’s face it, a road at dusk and then a car park are not the safest of places for ducks, even ones as determined as Thirsk’s. So the Thirsk Duck team sprang into action as they did last year. Time tables were drawn up by Emma-Jayne, who led from the front, the rear and all ways, and the high quality ‘escort service’ began. The Wardens were on the march!

Image credit: Bethany

Off would go a pair of wardens to the beck to wait for dusk. Eventually the waddlers gathered on the bank, and set off for town, but only when they were good and ready. The two sets of ducklings with a mum front and rear would plod across the grass, then across the lane scrabbling up onto the pavement. At the T junction the lead mum would take a swift turn left, and busy busy, off they’d go to the car park, which involved crossing a fairly busy road. So, escort wardens waddled alongside. No, really, they did not, they walked – forgive me – in the road actually, hi viz (courtesy of Mary K a warden) on display, warning traffic to slow, and stopping the traffic at the T junction, and most willing the cars were too.

The mum ducks, heads held high would waddle on, looking out for dogs, the only real monster, they feel, with the ducklings keeping up, somehow. If a dog appeared, panic ensued, but never fear, the Duck Wardens sprang into action. You might have heard of herding cats? Try herding ducks.

Image credit: Suzanne

Once at the car park they would automatically head for the cones which a volunteer will have set out earlier, and which the ducks recognized as sanctuary, and into which no car would dare to come – so very there. Quack Quack.

Complete with water, (thank you The Mowbray Arms for the water) always ready for the ducks to refresh after their journey, and of course, for the ducklings to plonk themselves into. Oh, come on, who doesn’t like to play?

Image credit: Richard

Once settled, the ducks and ducklings, now growing at quite a rate, were left with one or two wardens, while another returned to the beck to escort the grown ups when they were ready, along the same route. Once all were settled in the cones, these wonderful wardens would stand guard to calm the ducks when dogs passed, when the pubs emptied, cars revved until all was quiet. Then it was ‘Home James, and don’t spare the horses’ .

Sadly some ducklings and ducks were lost to the predators, and to the roads when the team had left for the night. (Some didn’t leave until midnight at the weekend). At dawn the ducks would take themselves back to the beck, when traffic was light, hopefully. Jody who was one of the founders would collect up the cones at dawn. In the evening it would all start again.

Of course, with any team effort, there were plentiful volunteers in support, what with the morning and evening feeds, the cones to put out, and bring in – some pretty heavy let me tell you. And the organisation of the whole thing requires hands to the pump.

Image credit: Adam

Come rain or shine though, and boy, was there some rain, the wardens would be there, and always passers by stopped to chat, to learn, some coming quite a distance, as this year there was national coverage of this strange North Yorkshire event, even in Australia and America. Always there was kindness and appreciation. As May ended, and the months came and went, the protection continued and the team watched as flight feathers became evident, and wing flexing was an increasing feature of the escorting. As the ducklings fledged, and flew, so did the adult ducks, until last Sunday, in the pouring rain, only one adult duck (surely this duckling was now grown up?) was settled within the cones. The next evening, none came, and none the next, so it was over, – for another year. There were 24 ducklings at the start 12 survived (50%) and in the wild the ratio is 10%-40% – now that is something of which to be extremely proud – all of you in the Thirsk Ducks team.

But the Thirsk Ducks team must have the last very beautiful words courtesy of Emma-Jayne: ‘As the sun sets on another unforgettable year, we want to say the biggest, warmest thank you to everyone who make Thirsk Ducks 2025 so special. To our incredible Thirsk Duck Wardens, – your dedication, selflessness, and humanity have been the quiet heartbeat of this whole journey. You’ve gone above and beyond, rain or shine, and we are endlessly grateful. To our followers, supporters near and far and to the local businesses (The Mowbray Arms, The Three Tuns and the Yorkshire Feed and Country Store) who stepped up with generosity and enthusiasm, our friends who made donation in different ways – thank you for standing with us, cheering us on, and helping us continue something truly unique.

And to our wonderful comminity here in Thirsk, nestled in the heart of beautiful North Yorkshire – you’ve shown what it means to come together, to care deeply and to make magic out of the everyday.

From the bottom of our hearts thank you. We’re closing the book on 2025 but already looking ahead with excitement Here’s to 2026.

Frost Magazine is moved beyond words at the small but very special market town of Thirsk, and its example of community, friendship and humanity.

https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-three-tuns-thirsk/

https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Mowbray-Arms-Thirsk-61573545925475

https://www.facebook.com/p/Yorkshire-Feed-Country-Store-61551945367729/?locale=en_GB