Mum, dad and ducklings saved from building site

The ducklings hatched at the construction site in Reading

A family of ducks have been saved after being found by chance during construction work at a council building.

The parent ducks, who had a nest of eight eggs, had made a home at the Civic Centre in Reading.

Work has been taking place to create a new customer service area and a new central library.

David Shore, project manager for Morgan Sindall, said: "In construction we are used to being flexible around changes in circumstances, but we were not expecting to find a family of ducks nesting in the middle of our work area."

Workmen helped get the family to the River Kennet

Once the nest was found, the team paused work, put up barriers and added "bird nesting" signs until the ducks decided to leave.

A wildlife camera was set up and monitored the family for several days.

Eventually, workmen heard excited quacking and chirping before finding the clutch of eight ducklings, along with mum and dad, trying to leave their temporary home.

They helped the ducklings up steps and stopped traffic so they could safely cross the road to the River Kennet.

The ducklings then followed their parents by jumping in the water

Mr Shore said: "The team... are committed to protecting the local wildlife and ecology that surround our site and ensured the ducks safe departure to the river.

"We are pleased we were able to assist the ducks on their way to the canal and can feel proud that we're surrogate parents to eight little ducklings."

Liz Terry, council leader, thanked the workers for "looking after our new residents so well and making sure they were safe and well".

The new reception is set to open by the new year, with the library to follow in spring 2026.