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| Mandarin pair |
On Friday 10th April, we had to walk my Gran's dog as she, like many others, can't often go out. So she recommended that we take him to Singlers marsh, which is not that far from her house. I'd been to Singlers marsh before and it is very wet grassland plus quite small. It took us probably 15 or so minutes to get round to the other side when I saw a silhouette of what I thought was a duck. It was a duck, but not any duck, a DRAKE Mandarin!! Instantly I said to my dad, " PUT THAT ON THE LIST!!" I think I got a bit to close and I scared the Mandarin, only to reveal ANOTHER Mandarin! A male and a female. This was the first time I'd ever seen a Mandarin and I was so happy! I figured that they could be a mating pair and I was trying to look for a hole in a tree trunk, because, like some other ducks, they nest in trees and the young are carried out of the tree on the females back. Also these wonderful ducks were introduced and escaped from zoos. What a wonderful sight!!
In my last post, I gave you a task: Can you spot the Blackcap? It was in the middle of the photo and it is circled in pink. I haven't seen it since and if you did spot it well done! If you didn't, don't worry because they will be plenty more of these to come plus it was quite a bad photo.
That's enough from me! Have a good day and stay safe!!
Ferreting Fynn
That was amazing! A Mandarin Duck! Two Mandarin Ducks! I expect there will be baby Madarin Ducks soon- I hope so.
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ReplyDeleteWell first of all I was really pleased to find that , after much peering , the little shape I thought might be the bird was in deed it. I am still impressed you spotted it in the wild.
ReplyDeleteA pair of Mandarin ducks - how fabulous. They are such pretty ducks. It was fascinating to learn that they were introduced in the wild by escaping from zoos. Clever mandarins. Do you know where they originate from. The name suggests China but that might not be right. So good that you are still adding to your 200 birds even though you can’t go far at the moment.
Singlers Marsh looks like a great place and not far away. I will definitely be going there for a walk when things get back to normal. Who knows - I might see the mandarins with some offspring!!
Very interesting read & love the photos!
ReplyDeleteHurrah, I can now post to your account. Looking forward to your next blog.
ReplyDeleteSeeing 11 swifts is very exciting though.
Wow, two ducks in one day! Great spotting
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