They were cute, fluffy and a star attraction 35 years ago

The fluffiest new arrivals at Washington Waterfowl Park were pulling in plenty of huge crowds in 1984.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jun 2019, 13:34 BST
Updated 1st Jul 2019, 13:01 BST
Some of the newest attractions at the Washngton Waterfowl Park in 1984.Some of the newest attractions at the Washngton Waterfowl Park in 1984.
Some of the newest attractions at the Washngton Waterfowl Park in 1984.

The star attractions were the young ducks and geese and they were called Downies because of their fluffy coats. The public got to see them on specially held ‘Downy Days’ which always took place at peak hatching times for people to see the newest arrivals.

Some were only eight to ten hours old and there were an amazing 25 species of birds which were hatching at the park that year.

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Park curator at the time was Brian Gadsby who said in 1984: “When the downies are first born, their mothers shelter them but after a few hours, they are expected to fend for themselves and they have to find their own food.

Did you pop along and see the Downies?