MY wife and I were invited to Sunday lunch at Hardwick Hall, near Sedgefield, and after a super meal we had a walk through Hardwick country park, which is just next to the hall.

We have not been to the park since it has been revamped with new car parks and an impressive visitors centre.

It was a sunny, but blustery day, and there were lots of mallard ducks, coots and the odd moor hen, sunning themselves on the banks of the pond and in the water.

There were almost fully grown young coots in good numbers but not a single mallard duckling.

Can someone explain why there are such large numbers of ducks but no sign of any youngsters? The water was very brackish looking and the pond shows signs of drought.

Malcolm Rolling, Carrville,