A couple of male blue ducks have pretty well done for hopes that the species might propagate in the UK after eschewing the advances of a female in favour of some light boy-on-boy, the Telegraph reports.

The pair of gay drakes - named Ben and Jerry - resisted the advances of female Cherry at Arundel Wetland Centre in West Sussex and came out of the avine closet to form a close partnership. Centre warden Paul Stevens said: "They stay together all the time, parading up and down their enclosure and whistling to each other as a male might do with a female he wants to mate with. People who visit the centre think they're a fantastic couple, without really coming around to the idea that they are two males."

According to Stevens, Cherry has taken the snub pretty well and "doesn't seem bothered by it, she's just happy to keep herself to herself".

The centre had hoped that the blue ducks - natives of New Zealand and represented by just three individuals in the UK - would get it together, and Stevens explained that after she was introduced to Ben, Cherry "showed some interest in him" then "displayed typical mating behaviour".

He elaborated: "She approached him and called to him, she even looked like she was nesting. We thought it was great and it was all going to happen but nothing ever did."

In the correct spirit of tolerance that these enlightened times require, Stevens concluded: "To our surprise the two males really took to each other and it was obvious that they really liked each other. It would have been nice to get a last clutch of eggs from Cherry, but Ben and Jerry do make a lovely couple." ®

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/...t-together.html

Looks like Ben just fowled it up

Moss

Cherry Ben & Jerry's? Is this some kind of ironic joke?

Well obviously Ben and Jerry are very merry and have spurned the offer of Cherry's cherry.

Eider thought that this was another case of the Whitehall mandarins interfering.

Is this thread in the correct section?

I posted it in here because I thought it deserved a more discerning audience than the general rabble out in genpop.

I have a feeling Kayo meant OTB, so I feel you got it just about right

Moss

Best place for it...

Plenty to have a gander at, but seems Cherry's goose is half-cocked, er, cooked.

I posted it in here because I thought it deserved a more discerning audience than the general rabble out in genpop.

Sorry, should've added a smilie.

T'was meant in jest.

Tongue in beak, so to speak.

I posted it in here because I thought it deserved a more discerning audience than the general rabble out in genpop.

Sorry, should've added a smilie.

T'was meant in jest.

Tongue in beak, so to speak.

Tongue in beak. Classic!

I posted it in here because I thought it deserved a more discerning audience than the general rabble out in genpop.

Sorry, should've added a smilie.

T'was meant in jest.

Tongue in beak, so to speak.

Tongue in beak. Classic!

And a toothy grin. (Have you ever noticed that Daffy has a great beak full of teeth?)

I posted it in here because I thought it deserved a more discerning audience than the general rabble out in genpop.

Sorry, should've added a smilie.

T'was meant in jest.

Tongue in beak, so to speak.

"Take him down!"

"Yes, ma llard."

^If I weren't such a quack, eider seen that coming!

E:T

^If I weren't such a quack, eider seen that coming!

E:T

Sorry, Ping; look at Post 5

A couple of male blue ducks have pretty well done for hopes that the species might propagate in the UK

The centre had hoped that the blue ducks - natives of New Zealand and represented by just three individuals in the UK -

He elaborated: "She approached him and called to him, We thought it was great and it was all going to happen but nothing ever did."

Surely it is all quite clear - this is normal Kiwi behaviour in the UK.

All chat, never any action. (Except in the Welsh Hills - there there's a war between the Taffs and the Kiwis about BaaBaara and her sisters)

^If I weren't such a quack, eider seen that coming!

E:T

Sorry, Ping; look at Post 5

Bugger- I missed it. Makes my post a bit of a lame duck, doesn't it...

Shall I put that on your bill sir?

^If I weren't such a quack, eider seen that coming!

E:T

Sorry, Ping; look at Post 5

Bugger- I missed it. Makes my post a bit of a lame duck, doesn't it...

...and what a beautiful recovery!

I like ducks.

I also admire those penguins who shuffle around keeping the eggs warm while their ladies are off galivanting. Anybody seen the film something something of the Emporers? Quite touching. Well, very touching - had a tear in me eye.

In fact, penguis are my favourites. I just like the way they strut around.

I like ducks.

So do I. Aroi mak!

I like those penguins in Dr PP's av - one clipping the other over the back of the head. Priceless.

# ".....all the ducks are swimming in the water...."

Every one so fond of penguins, guess you are all running, LINUX.

Wasn't it Linux the Lion?

Wasn't it Linux the Lion?

Party pooper.

Party pooper.

He He He........ ....... .......... .........

Dad, Dad, there's a man at the door with a bill.

Don't be silly Son, it must be a duck with a hat on.