I can feel it happening. Its crept up on me and I'm not sure I have any control over it - but I know I'm becoming a duck bore! Its all I want to talk about. I want to tell everyone about how well they're doing, that Billy is now 10" tall, Ellie has developed an unhealthy obsession with anything shiny, they now snuggle up together to sleep I could go on (and in fact I do!). And you can see people, initially interested but gradually getting a glazed look on their faces, until finally they change the subject (or at least they try, I'm pretty determined when it comes to ducks).

This morning for example. I had been invited to BBC Radio Manchester to take part in the Coffee Morning slot between 9am - 10am. The subjects covered were how we judge people in society and teenage drinking - and all I kept thinking was how I could turn the discussions around to ducks! Actually, even I didn't manage that one - but I did sneak in a quick discussion about the age we can put Billy and Ellie in water with my fellow guest, Mary Brotherton!

Getting advice is as important and sharing my little duck anecdotes, and I'm asking everyone for their pearls of wisdom. Stockley Working Farm have been fantastic, and will most likely start screening their calls soon to avoid me! Today I discovered that we no longer need to keep the heat lamp on the ducks, and we can introduce them to a paddling pool in a couple of weeks time.

I also found out that as soon as they get their adult feathers we can release them on the pond, which will be in about a month's time - oh no! I can't bear to let them go. I know I should be thinking sensibly, and that eventually they have to go and be ducks, to do duck things, but it's going to be so difficult to let them go. I know I've probably become too attached to them, but I defy anyone with a heart actually beating in their chest not to be won over by these gorgeous little creatures. So, so cute.