Totally quackers: Incredible pics show duckling hatching at Irish wildlife sanctuary

This is definitely no ugly duckling... These amazing pictures show the moment little Lona popped out of her shell and waddled into the big wide world.

Lona became the latest newborn anatidae (fancy word for the family of birds that includes ducks, geese and swans) to successfully hatch thanks to the care and attention of resident volunteers at Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary, Co Kerry, Ireland.

But just before she broke free of her shell, she was screwed up in a tight little ball and barely recognisable as a duckling (above), looking a tiny bit squashed:

When she emerged, Lona was also a little bit bedraggled...

... Before she was dried off and her brilliant yellow fluffy fur and bright orange webbed feet were shown off in all their glory.

Set on 22 acres of beautiful lakes and wetlands, the sanctuary opened in 2010 and is staffed by a team of volunteers, many of them from abroad.

The centre also rescues orphaned, wounded and starving seal pups and is regularly home to geese, swans and ducks.

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