Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)

STATUS AT LONGHAM LAKES

An introduced population breeds not far away (Merley), so this species may stray into the area from time to time. All records given:

1. 14 perched on a dead tree overhanging the Stour in Samuel’s Wood, 19th October 2009.
2. 1 female on the Stour by Old Ash Bend on 5th January 2010.
3. 1 male flew over Longham Reservoir South, 11th May 2010.
4. 1 male flew past LR North on 13th April 2011 (George Green).
5. 1 female on Longham Reservoir South on from at least 10th July to 15th August 2011 (Chris Parnell).
6. 3 (2 males) on the Stour below Longham Bridge, 21st April 2012 (Alan Pearce).
7. 1 male on the main island on LR South, 9th – 19th May 2012 (Chris Parnell).
8. 1 on 22nd-23rd July 2012 (WEBS).
9. A pair flying over the South Fields on 31st March 2014 (DC).
10. 1 male flew over Longham Reservoir South on 21st April (GG).
11. 1 by the River Stour at Longham Bridge, 19th August 2014 (DBC).
12. 1 pair flying from a large oak tree in Samuel’s Wood, 20th March 2015 (DC).
13. 1 on 3rd December 2015.