About this time of year I start to look at my list of birds seen during the year looking for local or common species which I have failed to see until now. One species I noted that was absent from my list for 2026 was Mandarin Duck. The Mandarin Duck originates from South East Asia. They were introduced into the UK as part of wildfowl collections in stately homes, but a number escaped from captivity and began to breed in the wild, establishing small feral populations around the country. The majority of these are in Southern England, but populations also occur in other parts of the country.
So one morning last week I set off for Battersea Park, which I have found is the most reliable site in London for this species.
It was a lovely day to walk around the large lake in the south of the Park. I made my way to the area where I have seen the Mandarins before, but there were none to be seen there. so I continued my walk around the lake checking the more secluded parts of the lake,. Sadly today there were none to be seen.
One good sighting though was a number of Brown hawker dragonflies, my first record of this species this year.
A very pleasant mornings walk even though the Mandarins wern’t showing. There is always a next time.
