After last week's success with the Little Owl we went back down to Linacre this morning to see if we could catch and ring the
Mandarin Ducks. We managed one bird, a female, which is just the second ringed by the group. As well as ringing the bird we also added another record for the BTO's
Nest Record Scheme. In 2011 and 2012 only 32 and 31 Mandarin nests were recorded for the scheme, so another 2 will go a long way to increase our knowledge of
Mandarin breeding biology ( number of eggs laid, number of young hatched and fledged etc...).
Female Mandarin
After ringing I lead a walk around the reservoirs as part of
Derbyshire County Council's Walking Festival. A group of approx. 20 people attended and we managed to record a good number of birds, despite cool, overcast conditions and a strongish wind. Highlights were a group of about 10
Swifts feeding over the water with 50+
Swallows and a handful of
House Martins. We also spotted or heard a male
Bullfinch, 2
Whitethroats, a
Pied Flycatcher,
Chiffchaffs,
Willow Warblers and a
Garden Warbler. 
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