It was one of the last sunny days in October and when my Dad and I got the pond the 1st bird I saw was the unmissable Tree Creeper, then a small flocks of Goldcrests got my attention. As I was trying to get a photo of the Goldcrests my dad noticed movement on the small island in the middle of the pond and low and behold there they were - 8 of them in total - 6 males (including one juvenile) and 2 females.
The colours in these ducks are amazing and their sail feathers are a beautiful orangey brown!! Take a look.
Male Mandarin Duck
Juvenile Mandarin Duck - colours not as fully developed and no Sail feathers.
Look at the detail in the feathers and the lovely sail feathers.
'Did you say I was pretty, why you make me blush'
Female Mandarin Duck - she may not be as colourful as the male but wow is she still beautiful.
Unfortunately I can not count these as a tick on my list as these guys were most definitely escapees - they left the island because they saw the bread I had brought with me. They were so tame - there is a population in the North somewhere which have been given a non feral status.
After they had cleared me out of bread it seemed it was preen time and all of them had a active bath - photos didn't come out so well because they were moving so fast.
After they had cleared me out of bread it seemed it was preen time and all of them had a active bath - photos didn't come out so well because they were moving so fast.
Synchronised Swimming Mandarin Duck Style.
Apparently their preening did not amuse a Mute swan who came and chased them for a bit - a bit grumpy me thinks!!!
Grumpy Mute Swan
Just down from the Ducks was a little Grebe still in partial summer plumage. The water in the pond is obviously clean as the Grebe was actively feeding on what looked like both Minnows and something shrimp like. However this Grebe was not the only one - there were 3 others which looked like 2 Juveniles and 1 adult.
Adult Little Grebe
Adult Little Grebe having his lunch
Three Little Grebes - two juveniles and an adult
Also in the lake were Tufted Ducks, the usual Mallards, Mute swans, Black Headed Gulls and Moor Hens.
Female Tufted Duck
Adult Moorhen
Black Headed Gull
The trees around the pond were teaming with birdlife - a Robin singing, Blue tits, Great tits, Long Tailed tits and the usual suspects Magpies, Jackdaws and Rooks.
It was a great hour birding.
It was a great hour birding.
1 comment:
That juv mandarin looks like its just been put through a long spin programme in the washing machine! Great photos of the mandarin duck, I'll have to go see them myself!
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