Moms, aunties, grandmoms, and sisters raise Common Eider ducklings in large communal nurseries called crèches. This creche of Common Eiders was feeding on the abundance of seaweed and sea lettuce found along the shores of Cape Ann.

Often enough a wave would wash a few ducklings onshore and they would frantically race back to join the nursery. It was easy to see how the ducklings can become separated from their family. We occasionally find Common Eider ducklings on shore and there is a technique to reuniting them with a crèche.

Please contact your local wildlife rehabber (for Cape Ann contact Jodi at Cape Ann Wildlife, Inc.) if that happens or leave a comment and we will try to help. Common Eider Duckling Rescue with Hilary Frye and Cape Ann Wildlife

Listen to the audio and you can hear the constant vocalizations between the adults and ducklings.