Topic ID 4965
Does anyone know what this unusual colourful water bird is? It was with a group of other ordinary ducks in the Castle Grounds and was attracting some attention from passers-by. [img]../images/forum/duck1.jpg[/img] [img]../images/forum/duck2.jpg[/img] [img]../images/forum/duck3.jpg[/img]
Reply ID 70483
It is a mandarin duck. It might have come from the Riverside Garden centre at some time
Reply ID 70484
chinese mandarin duck.
Reply ID 70485
Is that the one that was hanging out by the barge a few months ago? I think publandlord mentioned it!
Reply ID 70486
I love that duck! [url]http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/mandarin/index.aspx[/url]
Reply ID 70489
Woo-hoo! Just been to a Chinese supermarket to stock up on plum sauce and pancakes too!
Ahem yes - its a very nice looking creature. [:)]
Reply ID 70491
Max-Power duck, complete with spoilers and body graphics.
Reply ID 70495
quote:Hahahaha...very good ![:D]
Originally posted by shunt
Max-Power duck, complete with spoilers and body graphics.
Reply ID 70503
There was a Mrs Mandarin but I haven't seen her this year. My bird book said there were only a couple of hundred breeding pairs left and that they were concentrated in Berkshire.. however my book was a rather old one from the Oxfam shop so things might have changed! Checking the RSPB link, my book is very out of date!
Reply ID 70507
We have one every year on the river behind our house.
Reply ID 70512
it always seems to loose out to domestic ducks and geese when people throw bread to them. I always make a point of trying to get some to it though, purely because it's made the most effor to ensure it's outfit is stylish! As SMT said, it did have a partner in previous years, but we haven't seen it this year either.
Reply ID 71034
It's very local and it has a hundred quid on it's mullet if you catch it! [url="http://www.riversidegardencentre.co.uk/category/9908/new:-waterfowl"]100 quid? Time I got the duck out of here![/url]
Reply ID 71036
I was down the castle on Saturday and he was still lurking albeit looking a bit chilly. Although he's a very nice addition to the castle it may be better if he's caught so that he can pair up with a mate - some of the mallards didn't look too friendly towards him.
Reply ID 72996
Mrs Mandarin has moved to County Hall; I saw her this morning walking by the cricket pitch with some mallards. Clearly seems to have divorced Mr Mandarin and gone for a less flash partner [:D]
Reply ID 72997
There is one on the river just past the Hertingfordbury roundabout on the A414 as you leave Hertford. At least it was there on Monday morning.
Reply ID 72999
Well, it moves about a bit as it definitely down by The Barge this lunchtime.
Reply ID 73034
quote:The male or the female? I saw the female by County Hall and normally see the male in the Castle grounds.
Originally posted by newcomer
Well, it moves about a bit as it definitely down by The Barge this lunchtime.
Reply ID 73041
quote:..Checks RSPB website...Definitely the female.
Originally posted by SMTquote:The male or the female? I saw the female by County Hall and normally see the male in the Castle grounds.
Originally posted by newcomer
Well, it moves about a bit as it definitely down by The Barge this lunchtime.
Reply ID 73045
Slight change of species..but did anyone else see the Red Kite over Hertford today, spotted it soaring quite low over Sele Farm / B1000 junction at 3.00pm whilst passing in car. No idea which direction it had approached from, so it may have just clipped Hertford ! Last time i saw one over Hertford was a couple of years ago high over HTFC ground.
Reply ID 73046
Well it looks as if the Red Kite approached from Bengeo according to this link http://www.hnhs.org/birds/ Nice picture of Mr Mandarin at foot of page!
Reply ID 73047
quote:Oh bum. I obviously didn't check very well. I mean the male then. (the ornate one)
Originally posted by newcomerquote:..Checks RSPB website...Definitely the female.
Originally posted by SMTquote:The male or the female? I saw the female by County Hall and normally see the male in the Castle grounds.
Originally posted by newcomer
Well, it moves about a bit as it definitely down by The Barge this lunchtime.
Reply ID 73048
quote:I saw the drake (male)
Originally posted by SMTquote:The male or the female? I saw the female by County Hall and normally see the male in the Castle grounds.
Originally posted by newcomer
Well, it moves about a bit as it definitely down by The Barge this lunchtime.