For years I have watched shelduck families being decimated by marauding seagulls. Like a good nature lover I have put this down to the ways of nature and pretended it never bothered me much. Now, I have to admit that I really enjoyed seeing a shelduck hammering the daylights out of and trying to drown a black-back seagull who came too close to the ducklings.Does this mean I am not a real nature lover? It was only later on the computer that I could see clearly the big fight. I also have to admit that I replayed the hammering a few times so I suppose I should hang my head in shame. I had even thought about ordering a tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbows but I now realise that I am not worthy to wear the nature lovers uniform. Strange to see three shelduck protecting the ducklings. Perhaps the duck who led the attack had lost her own clutch earlier or could there be two clutches swimming together? I suspect it was a duck rather than a drake as it had the feel of "mammy rage". If you have gratuitously replayed the attack perhaps you should consider your position and resign from the nature lovers club. Even marauding seagulls feel pain and not having big sad eyes should not preclude them from pity. Now, I'm off to watch the beating up again. Take care. P.S All the violence is near the start. The rest is just cute ducklings

• published: 27 Jun 2013
• views: 32