Goslings, Ducklings, Mandarin Duck and a Heron at the Local Dam

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(Edited)

I popped down to Walton Dam, which is just a 10 minute car drive away from me. I'd heard there had been a kingfisher spotted down there, but sadly, it didn’t make any appearance today. However, I did spot a heron sitting on the branch overlooking the water.

It never moved a muscle and was still perched there when I walked back.

There was also a mandarin duck, which doesn't tend to visit this dam much, so it was a nice surprise.

The mandarin duck was introduced from the Far East and some areas of Russia. It either escaped, or someone released it on purpose from captivity in the UK.

A passerby told me there were some Canada Geese goslings further down the dam. I could only spot one, so I feared the worst that perhaps something had happened to the others.

I didn’t realise that all the other goslings were underneath mum! Phew! Thank goodness they were all safe. It always amazes me that they are walking and swimming within the first day of their little lives.

I also spotted a mallard duck with her ducklings. They were darting about like miniature speed boats, so far too difficult to get a decent photograph.

It was so nice to see a lot of activity on the pond after the bleak winter months, when nothing really happens.

This post is for #sublimesunday inspired by @c0ff33a and #beautifulsunday initiated by @ace108.



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Soo pretty these ducks 🦆
this little baby looks so cute 😍

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I doubt if the mandarin ducks were released in the olden days.
Probably, more likely an escape. 😎

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Yes, one or t'other.

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I just chatted with Bing again and found something.

Mandarin ducks were introduced to the UK from China and other parts of Asia, as their name suggests¹². The first recorded introduction was in the mid-18th century by Alfred Ezra at Foxwarren Park in Surrey³. However, it was not until the 1930s that escapees from captivity started breeding in the wild⁴⁵. They are one of the few introduced species not to cause any ecological problems, as their favoured habitats are not used by the UK's native wildfowl⁴..

Source: Conversation with Bing, 16/05/2023
(1) Mandarin Duck Facts | Aix Galericulata - The RSPB. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/mandarin/.
(2) Mandarin duck | The Wildlife Trusts. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/waterfowl/mandarin-duck.
(3) Wildlife - Mandarin ducks | Great British Life. https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/things-to-do/wildlife/22631444.wildlife---mandarin-ducks/.
(4) Mandarin Duck | Bird Identification Guide | Bird Spot. https://www.birdspot.co.uk/bird-identification/mandarin-duck.
(5) Mandarin Duck Bird Facts (Aix galericulata) | Birdfact. https://birdfact.com/birds/mandarin-duck.

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I hope the people keeping them in captivity had a heart and "accidently" let them escape. We have quite a few around here but not on this particular pond.

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