Mandarin Duck sites (2 Viewers)

[kimandsue]

We have a birder visiting us from the USA keen to see Mandarin Duck. Any one have any reliable sites?
Thanks for your help Kim

 

[Reader]

We have a birder visiting us from the USA keen to see Mandarin Duck. Any one have any reliable sites?
Thanks for your help Kim

For me the most reliable site for these beautiful ducks is the Cannop Ponds in the Forest of Dean. Here is a link to the site.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

This is near to Coleford which is SW of Gloucester. Quite a few Mandarin breed here but you get the occasional few on the ponds.

Here are photos of a male and a female taken at Cannop Ponds earlier this year.

John

 

[bitterntwisted]

Stockgrove Country Park, north of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire is probably the nearest to you. Up to 100 birds in Winter, and very obvious on the lake there.

Graham

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Cheating a bit but as you are in Norfolk you should be able to see some at Pensthorpe. It's a nice place to spend an hour or two anyway.

Ron

 

[devon.birder]

Whitewebbs Park is a good place to see Mandarins as it is only a couple of miles off the M25. Leave M25 at Junction 25 and head south towards London. After about 100 yards turn right at the traffic lights. At the next junction turn right and pass the King Tinker pub. The park is on the left just after the pub car park and there is room for cars to park outside the park wall. Walk in to the park and the lake is on your right. Roger

 

[kimandsue]

Stockgrove Country Park, north of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire is probably the nearest to you. Up to 100 birds in Winter, and very obvious on the lake there.

Graham

Thanks Graham
Are they there this time of year?
Regards Kim

 

[bitterntwisted]

Thanks Graham
Are they there this time of year?
Regards Kim

They are there year round but they're most numerous and visible in Winter. As everywhere, they can be elusive during the breeding season, but should be becoming more and more visible now. I've got family locally - I'll ask them for a latest report.

Graham

 

[pduxon]

out of interest are there birds still on the lake at Felbrigg?

 

[kimandsue]

Thanks for your help. I think I will do the Leighton Buzzard site as this seems hopeful after picking her up from Gatwick.
Cheers Kim

 

[bitterntwisted]

Hi Kim,

I haven't been able to check on numbers as my family there are away but I'm confident you'll see some.

The lake in the park is at SP916290. The car park and visitor centre is on the left hand side of the road going from Heath an Reach to Great Brickhill along Brickhill Lane. The park does get quite busy and is a popular dog-walking spot but as a result the wildlife is very tame there. The lake is a short walk west from the car park and visitor centre. Green and Great-Spotted Woodpeckers are numerous, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks and Siskins are often around and Crossbill sometimes occur. If it's very busy then Rammamere Heath, the other side of the road from the car park, is a more pleasant and quieter walk which also has plenty of common birds including Garden Warbler, Blackcap etc. and can also produce Little Owl, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo and perhaps Woodlark on the restored heathland.

All the best,
Graham

 

[kimandsue]

Hi Graham
:t: Result! eclipse male and 4 females ticked off. We were in a bit of a rush to explore too much but it looked a really interesting spot with some lovely native trees.
Thanks for your help Regards Kim

 

[MarkHows]

The best place is Connaught Water (TQ404954) near Epping, North London there is a large population and they are easliy found.

Mark

 

[birderbill]

To add to the mix, Christchurch Park in Ipswich allows close viewing of Mandarins!

Bill.

 

[dan pointon]

Surely Felbrigg would of been the best option?

 

[kimandsue]

Surely Felbrigg would of been the best option?

Hi Graham
I think they are a bit hit and miss here.
Regards Kim