Aigamo Ducks at Yōhō-ji Temple

　The Aigamo ducks at Yōhō-ji Temple are famous for the chicks hatched in the temple pond moving to the Kamo River.

　When I went to see them today, six chicks were swimming about energetically. The term ‘Aigamo duck’ refers to domesticated wild mallards, or ducks that are a cross between a domestic duck and a mallard.

　They make the move around June every year, but as they have to cross the busy Kawabata-dori road, officers from Kawabata Police Station are on hand to direct traffic. As they are still quite small, the move may not take place for another fortnight or so. It seems the move often happens on days with light rain or heavy cloud cover.