After travelling up to Hyde Park last week to see the Mandarin Ducks, one came to visit us near home. Sue and I had been out for a morning coffee and were returning home, when we decided, on a whim, to divert and walk back around the Tarn. Just as well we did as there at the golf course end was a Drake Mandarin skulking in the bushes. although we could clearly make out what it was, due to its distinctive colours and markings, I only had my phone with me and it was too far to get anything other than fuzzy photos. This is my first record of this species on my local patch. Will have to see if it stays around.
As I have said before, watching wildlife is often about being in the right place at the right time.
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