Crossword Genius

Ducks, on leaving area, climbed in the air? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

zeroes

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'ducks on leaving area climbed in the air?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'ducks on leaving area' is the wordplay.
'ducks' becomes 'zeros' (I've seen this before).
'on' is an insertion indicator (as in clothing 'on' a person).
'leaving area' becomes 'e' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'zeros' placed around 'e' is 'ZEROES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for zeroes that I've seen is " Noughts".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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