THIS GROUP of tiny chicks were rescued after being spotted perilously walking down a busy road.
The baby Shelducks were saved by photographer Carl Bovis who stopped his van to block oncoming traffic before collecting them.
Wildlife carers were called to the scene in Burnham-on-Sea and helped the trio to safety.
Carl, a photographer, said: “So this morning I had to stop my van at Burnham on Sea to prevent traffic running over these little Shelduck chicks, who were walking down the middle of the main road.
“Such a strange place to see young Shelducks!
“I got out and shepherded them down a track off the road, where I took this picture.
“About a minute later they came back out onto the road again, I had to run out and stop the traffic once again.
“Unfortunately they separated, I chased one down the road, preventing the traffic behind overtaking me and running over the duckling - before it disappeared down a grassy track.
“Secret World Wildlife Rescue arrived after I called them and they managed to catch the other two which was a huge relief because some Gulls were circling above the garden they had run into and definitely had their eyes on them.”
“Together with the rescue volunteers, I tried to find the other chick by looking down the grassy track.
“We couldn't find it BUT we did see an adult Shelduck fly in and come down in the field behind it.
“Fingers crossed it was reunited.
“At least none of them were run over on what is a very busy road.”
The two chicks, saved by Carl on June 19, are now being cared for by Secret World Wildlife Rescue in Somerset.
They will be fed before being released back into their natural habitat.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here