All Danika Rainbird could do was watch as a group of baby ducks were separated from momma duck.
The babies struggled to get to their mother, but were unable to and eventually they drifted away with the current.
The drama unfolded at a dam in Coldstream on Kalamalka Lake and Rainbird said it is an all-too-common occurrence.
The dam sits at the entrance of Vernon Creek as it drains from the lake.
Rainbird said it was very upsetting to see.
“A lot of the time we walk past there and we hear baby ducks in the dam trying to get through, but they can't,” said Rainbird. “Their mom would be on the other side quacking at them and they would be quacking back. They couldn't get to each other. It's sad because I just want to help the baby ducks get back in the lake, but I can't.”
Rainbird said she has seen baby ducks on the wrong side of the metal dam several times.
A sign on the dam said it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Also, numerous carp try to get into Kalamalka Lake, but are stopped by the metal gate. That's a good thing because carp are an invasive species and are not wanted on Okanagan waterways.
The District of Coldstream recently put up a gate at the entrance to Kalavista Lagoon to keep the carp out.
Common carp will alter shallow lakes and ponds by uprooting vegetation as they feed.
- Darren Handschuh, Castanet
