A ruddy expensive way of getting shot of ducks The scene is a thicket of sedge beside a lake. "You don't come from around these parts, do ya?" says the old-timer, raising his small‑calibre rifle. Bang! It's all over in seconds. This has been the end of the road for more than 6,000 ruddy duck in Britain over the past decade, in an operation supported by the RSPB. These perky water‑fowl had spread throughout the country since their unplanned introduction from North America 70 years ago. But their mating with European white‑headed duck put the latter's very existence in jeopardy. Now there are only four dozen or so ruddy ducks left to be culled, and the cost of finishing them off has risen to £4,800 per brace. For that, the creatures could be tempted with caviar, flown first‑class to their native continent and settled for life in an MP-style bespoke duck-house.