Tweet of the Day
Jasmine Donahaye on the Mallard
30 August 2026
Available for over a year
On a hot summer walk, author Jasmine Donahaye feels refreshed by the sound of mallards, as it announces the hidden presence of water. She's reminded that the familiar quack sound is the voice of the female, as they dabble on the water, corralling ducklings and sounding alarms. In summer the males molt their bright feathers and temporarily resemble the females, though their quieter, raspy quack gives them away.
Produced by Sophie Anton for BBC Audio in Bristol.
