DUCK herding is the new corporate craze which is outstripping clay pigeon shooting as the most popular countryside team builder. GABRIELLE ROWLEY went to find out more at the picturesque Lakeside Hotel.

Windermere is home to the Lake District’s largest population of ducks, geese and swans. But have you ever tried a spot of corporate duck herding? Lakeside Hotel and Spa at Newby Bridge has teamed up with Kendal-based See Events to launch a series of Lakeland country pursuits.

Elaine Hill, a farmer, sheepdog trainer and master duck herder, works with See Events to teach the skills of the craft.

She said: "I usually bring two batches of ducks to each event. First, I let the group try herding the older ducks as they know the ropes and are easier to manoeuvre around the obstacles. The younger ducks are a bit more tricky.

"I use 3/4 bred Indian runner ducks, they are slightly less highly strung than the pure-bred ducks. I only use the drakes, as they are slightly more docile than the females and because they don't lay eggs the males often don't have a very long life span. If they are used in duck herding they get a long, comfortable life."

Elaine brings her three collie dogs, two black-and-white dogs called Kate and Holly and a red-and-white dog called Bracken. Kate, who has just returned to her duck herding duties after having puppies, has the most experience.

Michaela Irving, from Kendal, is the owner of See Events. She said: "The reason people love duck herding is for the comedy factor. It is hilarious to watch and it's usually done in pairs so is great for a team building exercise.

"It is incredibly popular for corporate groups as we use the field right next to the conference centre. However I think it is also an amazing activity for a birthday parties as it's just such a laugh."

The duck herding experience involves an obstacle course made up of a tunnel, a gate and a slide which the ducks must climb up and then whizz down into a paddling pool filled with water, before completing the course and returning to their pen.

Gemma Dickinson, revenue manager at the Lakeside Hotel, said: "The duck herding is just something really different and its location on the south bank of Windermere is so picturesque.

"We get a lot of groups coming from Manchester for conferences because the hotel feels as if it is right in the heart of the Lake District and yet it's only 15 minutes from the M6 and incredibly close to Ulverston."

The ducks have a real mind of their own and although you might feel a bit silly waving a shepherd's crook and shouting at them to go neatly through the tunnel, the activity is terrific fun and immensely rewarding.

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Factfile: Indian Runner ducks

-Indian Runners are a very special breed of domestic duck and were imported into Europe because of their tall, upright bodies and their incredible reputation for egg-laying.

-The Indian Runner, like most breeds of domestic duck, is a development of the wild mallard.

-Its evolution was probably determined more by human influence than natural selection over the hundreds of years they have been in the islands of Indonesia.

-Indian Runners are set apart from other domestic ducks not only by the geography but in their shape, bone structure and blood proteins.

-The Runners have been a determining factor in the commercial market, especially for quick-growing egg-layers but also for adding cross-breed vigour to the traditional table breeds, like Aylesbury and Rouen.