Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), our most familiar duck, is now on the Amber List of birds of Conservation Concern due to a decrease in the wintering population. Mallard breed on the wildlife site and a few are usually present throughout the year on the pond in Field 3, at the scrape in Field 4 and in the wetter areas of Field 5. A single pair are usually seen near the stream in the garden at Downlee Lodge. From March onwards, groups of typically about a dozen very young Mallard ducklings, are often seen in the company of an adult female but very few of them survive, due to predation.
Teal (Anas crecca), which is an Amber Listed species of conservation concern, is sometimes seen on the pond and scrape. Teal are much smaller than Mallards, compare the two female Teal with the four Mallards on one of the photographs below. Like the Mallard and other ducks, the male Teal is more strikingly coloured than the female, which is mottled brown except for bright green wing patches. A pair of Teal have been seen on the pond throughout April-June 2020.
Wigeon (Mareca Penelope), another Amber listed species has only been seen here by the pond occasionally.
In recent years Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) have also only been seen here occasionally. In the past they were seen more frequently on a pond immediately adjacent to Downlee Lodge. Several of the photographs below refer to an incident on that pond in 2003 when a gorgeous male mandarin was photographed performing its impressive display and then was seen repeatedly in the company of a female Mallard with ducklings that he appeared to have adopted.
A Maned Duck (Chenonetta jubata) was seen at Downlee Lodge a few times in 2004. It is an Australian native bird that was presumably an escapee and is unlikely to be seen here again.
Photographs of Ducks
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Mallard Teal Wigeon Mandarin Duck Maned Duck
