Mother Merganser and chicks (Mergus merganser)

As I walked towards the river, I spotted the top of the head of the adult merganser beyond the bullrushes, so I sat down on the ground, ready my camera. To my surprise, when it moved into the clearing 9 chicks followed! You may count eight, but there is actually nine - there is a beak to the front of the chick riding it's mother's back.