Monday, 2 October 2023

Mandarin Duck

17th September 2023 - there have been a number of Mandarin Duck around Granta Park this year, and some are believed to have successfully bred.  

Andy M spotted these four around the lake recently.  Now the breeding season is over, the males have lost their flamboyant plumage, and now look very similar the females, although the males keep their red bills.

Mandarin Duck - one male, three females

Female Mandarin Duck

Male Mandarin Duck. Note the white trailing edge and small blue-green patch
(speculum) visible on the wings when in flight

Female Mandarin Duck
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

  • To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
  • To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
  • To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
  • To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)