Daisy, the duck, hatches ducklings, ventures into lake

Daisy, the duck, and her ducklings are shown. (Barrie Public Library)

A local library looks forward to seeing a familiar face return again and again to one of its branches.

The Barrie Public Library becomes a home for Daisy, the duck, who, year after year, returns to the downtown library’s rooftop garden to lay her eggs.

This year was no different.

Daisy came back earlier this month and hatched her nine ducklings at the end of last week.

The annual spring tradition has been happening for more than 10 years.

Staff provided her with fresh water and roped off the area where she nested.

Once daisy hatched her ducklings, library staff guided Daisy and her 9 newly-hatched ducklings from the rooftop to their natural habitat of Lake Simcoe.

Staff transported the ducklings via container while Daisy waddled along keeping a close eye on her young.

While Daisy wanted to take a few detours and explore the downtown, she more or less followed the crew down to shore.

Eventually the adventure led them to the shores of Kempenfelt Bay at Heritage Park where staff released Daisy and her new family into the wild.

The babies followed their mother straight into the lake where they took their first swim.

In honour of Daisy, the duck, the library created a duck-themed book list filled with children’s picture books all about ducks.