Mandarin

The RSPB say there are 2,300 breeding pairs of Aix galericulata, the Mandarin Duck, in the UK. I’m very glad about that. Here’s why:

Mandarin Duck - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Aren’t they spectacular?

Mandarin Duck - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Here at Stover Country Park they nest in nest boxes up trees.

Mandarin Duck - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

That means when the chicks are small they have to throw themselves out of the trees and to the ground. I’d love to see that happen. In the meantime I’m going to have to be content with watching the adults:

Photographing them from water level is definitely the way to go, although my clothes now smell of duck poo. Here’s a link to some of my other photographs of them.

Which is your favourite shot of them? I think this is probably mine:

Mandarin Duck - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The light had almost gone when I got this opportunity.

Mandarin Duck - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)
Mandarin Duck - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s been a pleasure to spend time with them.

Mandarin Duck - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Do you have them on a lake near you?

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