Here's the English version of the blog post for your "Duck Family 0620F" video. A Dramatic Day for Our Duck Families: Swimming with Snakes, Dodging Crows, and Bonds Renewed
カモ親子の劇的な一日：蛇との遭遇、カラスの脅威、そして親子の絆
Like all videos in our series, this footage is an unedited observation log, typically shared on the same day it's filmed. It serves as a direct record of the day's events. While some scenes may appear unpolished, this format allows you to experience wildlife exactly as it unfolds, with all its challenges and unexpected turns. You can also simply enjoy the authentic sounds of nature.
Understanding Our "Duck Family Code"
As you watch our videos, you'll see codes like 【Vf1-8】. This is our "Duck Family Code," designed to help you easily identify each family and their ducklings. Let's break it down:
- V: The initial letter identifies the mother duck (from A-Z, or even Japanese characters).
- 1: The number indicates the count of ducklings in that specific brood.
- f: A lowercase alphabet letter denotes their birth year (e.g., 'd' for 2023, 'e' for 2024, 'f' for 2025).
- -8: This indicates the number of days old the ducklings are at the time of filming.
So, Vf1-8 means "Mother duck V's family, with 1 duckling born in 2025, observed on its 8th day of life."
Eastern Spot-billed Ducks: Threats and Adaptations in the Wild
The stars of our series, the Eastern Spot-billed Ducks (Anas zonorhyncha), or "Karugamo" in Japanese, are a common and beloved sight in Japan's waterways. While highly adaptable, their ducklings face numerous threats from the moment they hatch. Though precocial (meaning they can move and feed themselves soon after birth), young ducklings are incredibly vulnerable. Predators like crows, kites, raptors, and even snakes pose constant dangers. Mother ducks are therefore vigilant, constantly scanning their surroundings to protect their brood.
June 20th's Chronicle: A Day of Dramatic Encounters
On June 20th, our observer continued to monitor the pond's duck families, particularly the Vf1 duckling, whose mother's consistent presence had been a concern.
From the observation log:
- Vf1: A Miraculous Reunion! In a heartwarming turn of events, the mother of Vf1-8 returned! After days of uncertainty and fears of abandonment, the mother and her sole surviving duckling were seen acting as a proper family again. The mother's vocalizations, which had been absent, were also back, confirming the rekindling of their vital bond. The observer could identify the Vf mother by a unique pattern on her right wing feathers, making the reunion even more certain and joyous.
- Wf2: Mother Still Absent? The Wf2-4 ducklings (4 days old) were found, but their mother remained elusive for most of the day. Despite the mother's absence, the two ducklings seemed to be navigating their environment, though their calls suggested they were seeking her.
- Swimming with a Snake! A Rare Sighting! In a truly rare and astonishing moment, a duck family was observed swimming near a Japanese rat snake (Elaphe climacophora) in the water! While the ducks appeared cautious, there were no direct harmful interactions. This fascinating encounter highlights the diverse cohabitation in their habitat.
- Crows at the Resting Spot: The ever-present threat of crows (Corvus corone orientalis and Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis) was evident. A crow approached a resting duck family (Sf9), prompting the mother to issue warning calls and the ducklings to cautiously retreat into cover. Crows are known predators of ducklings, making such close encounters tense moments.
- Bf1: The Abandoned Survivor Thrives! In a particularly uplifting update, Bf1-39 (39 days old), a duckling previously abandoned and living alone, was found thriving! It had grown significantly and continued to demonstrate incredible resilience, mirroring the survival of the previously abandoned Df's four ducklings (Df捨4-34), all of whom were also confirmed to be doing well.
Other Families and the Observer's Dedication
The day also saw observations of numerous other duck families across the pond and river areas:
- Sf9-14 and Df5-34 were found resting peacefully.
- Gf7-36 was also seen enjoying an afternoon rest.
- Af13-42, a large brood, was observed, with the mother still identifiable.
- Cf3-38 and Lf4-20 were seen together, exhibiting a peculiar interaction that might have been related to the presence of the snake.
- The observer also continued the challenging search for Bf1, successfully locating it after several days, which brought great satisfaction.
Reflections: Nature's Drama and Persistent Hope
Today's observations were a mix of relief and ongoing concern. The reunion of the Vf family brought immense joy, while the continued absence of the Wf mother posed new worries. Witnessing a duckling swim near a snake and a mother duck's swift reaction to a crow reminded us of the constant vigilance required for survival in the wild.
Most hearteningly, seeing the strength of Bf1 and the confirmed survival of Df's abandoned four reinforces the incredible grit of these small creatures. Their stories are a testament to the powerful, often raw, beauty of nature.
What do you find most surprising about the daily lives of these duck families? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
YouTubeチャンネル「Duck Family」では、今日もカルガモのありのままの姿をお届けします。最新動画「Duck Family 0620F🦆カモ親子🐤蛇と泳いでびっくり雛とアオダイショウ。寝床にカラス接近。消えた母カモと戻った母。| Wildlife Documentary」では、驚きと感動に満ちた、カモ親子の濃密な一日を記録しました。
この動画も、いつものように未編集の観察記録です。自然の厳しさ、そしてカモ親子の懸命な姿を、ぜひご覧ください。
カモの記号（Duck Family Code）について
動画に登場する「Vf1-8」のような記号。これはカモ親子を識別するためのものです。
- V: 母ガモの識別記号
- 1: ヒナの数
- f: 生まれた年（2025年）
- -8: 撮影時点でのヒナの生後日数
つまり、「Vf1-8」は、「2025年生まれ、生後8日のヒナが1羽いるV組の母ガモの家族」という意味になります。
カルガモの生態：脅威と適応
カルガモ（Anas zonorhyncha）は、日本を含む東アジアに広く生息する美しいカモです。日本の水辺では非常によく見られるカモで、親しみやすい存在です。
カルガモのヒナは、生まれてすぐに歩いたり泳いだりすることができますが、外敵から身を守る術はまだありません。カラス、トビ、オオタカ、ヘビなど、多くの生き物がヒナを狙っています。そのため、母ガモは常に周囲を警戒し、ヒナを守りながら子育てをします。
6月20日の記録：驚きと感動の連続
6月20日、観察者は前日に引き続き、池のカモ親子の様子を観察しました。
観察記録より：
- Vf1、奇跡の再会！ 前日、育児放棄の可能性が懸念されていたVf1に、なんと母ガモが戻ってきていました！3日ぶりに親子らしい行動が見られ、観察者は心から安堵していました。母ガモの鳴き声も復活し、親子の絆が再び確認できました。
- Wf2、再び母親不在？ 一方、もう一組の親子、Wf2の母ガモは、この日も姿を現しませんでした。ヒナたちは心配そうに鳴いていましたが、無事に過ごしているようでした。
- 蛇との遭遇！ この日、観察者はカモ親子が蛇と泳ぐという非常に珍しい光景を目撃しました。カモたちは蛇を警戒しているようでしたが、幸いなことに、特に被害はありませんでした。
- カラスの脅威！ 寝床で休むカモ親子にカラスが接近。母ガモが威嚇し、ヒナを安全な場所へ誘導する様子が記録されました。カラスはカモのヒナを狙うことがあるため、母ガモは常に警戒しています。
- 逞しく生きる放棄雛Bf1！ 以前、育児放棄されたBf1は、この日も力強く生きていました。観察を始めた頃は小さかったヒナも、すっかり大きくなり、逞しい姿を見せてくれました。
その他のカモ親子
この日、池や川では、他にも多くのカモ親子が確認されました。
- Sf9: 寝床で休むSf9の親子。
- Df5: お昼寝中のDf5の親子。
- Gf7: お昼寝中のGf7の親子。
- Af13: 大所帯のAf13の親子。
- Cf3とLf4: 並んでお昼寝するCf3とLf4の親子。
観察者の想い
この日の観察記録を通して、観察者は様々な感情を抱きました。Vf1の親子の再会に対する喜び、Wf2の母ガモ不在への心配、そして、蛇やカラスといった危険からヒナを守ろうとする親ガモの姿への感動。
観察記録より：
- 「Vf1の母は、右翼側の三列風切羽の、右隣にある羽にも模様があってこれで確実に判別できる。それだけに、戻ってこないと思っていたVf母とヒナが一緒にいると気がついた時は本当に嬉しかった。」
- 「カラス警戒や、蛇との反応など興味深い瞬間にも遭遇。そして、幼いときに育児放棄されてずっと独りのBf捨1はしっかりと生き延びて育っていました！」
最後に
この動画は、カモ親子の日常の中に潜む様々なドラマを映し出しています。厳しい自然の中で生きるカモたちの姿は、私たちに多くのことを教えてくれます。
Comments