A PAIR of devoted ducks have returned to a haunted community pond thanks to the hard work of nearby residents.
It has been about three years since waterfowl have been seen cruising up and down the Mosbach Pond in the Thriftwood Estate, Brentwood.
After 15 years of neglect, the pond had became so clogged up with weeds that it became impossible for the birds to make it their home.
Despite the recent paucity of living creatures, however, there are rumours that the pond plays host to the ghost of a farmer and his horse who disappeared into its murky depths after losing their way one evening.
The pair of mallards – one male and one female – returned two weeks ago after dozens of residents clubbed together to reverse years of unchecked vegetation growth.
The birds had left after the pond became so badly choked with weeds and silt that a toad would have struggled to enjoy a splash, let alone a duck.
Philippa Barr, whose house in Roth Drive overlooks the pond, said: "It's so nice to see the ducks back. It shows that the hard work has been worth it.
"The pond had been badly blocked up.
"As for the ghost story, apparently you can hear the ghostly sounds of a horse whinnying sometimes."
"It's just fantastic that they have come back," said Mark Reed, who was one of several residents who had contributed their time and effort in making the project such a success.
According to Mr Reed, who lives next to the pond in Victors Crescent, it was almost as large as that in Shenfield Common when the estate was built in the 1980s.
Over the years however it gradually shrunk to about a fifth of the size.
Mr Reed said: "Various work has been done over the years including a big project by the council about 15 years ago.
"But in recent years it's just gone down and down
"So we thought 'why don't we get everyone together to do something about it'?"
More than 100 hundred man hours later, the pond is visible once more.
Brambles have also been cleared, two willow trees – a species notorious for the amount of water they use – have been chopped down and a manmade home for small creatures and insects called a Hibernaculum has been constructed to encourage wildlife and fauna.
Mr Reed said: "It was only done and finished last July.
"We had a very wet few months since then and that must have helped fill it up."
The big talking point now is whether the devoted pair will produce ducklings in the spring.
Mr Reed added: "We are just over the moon that our hard work has paid off.
"We are just now looking forward and hoping for some new arrivals, that would be great.
"All we need now to make it complete is a duck island – not paid for by the taxpayer, obviously."
