Mandarin  Aix galericulata

Burnham Beeches -  26th April 2008


 Photo copyright John Baker

Photographed at one of the ponds in Burnham Beeches, the stronghold for this species in the county.  The bright colours do match the surrounding Lily pads very well.

Higginson Park, Marlow -  4th April 2008


Photo copyright Ken Tate

Photographed in a popular park on the edge of Marlow.   The species is becoming fairly regular at this site.

Upper Pond, Burnham Beeches -  16th January 2005

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Photos copyright Adrian Parker

These Individuals were seen on the Upper Pond in Burnham Beeches which is perhaps the stronghold for this species in the south of the county.  During January over 40 Mandarins were reported here and were relatively tame.  This will no doubt change when breeding gets under way as this species can be remarkably elusive.

Grand Union Canal, Nr Milton Keynes -  18th April 2004

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Photos copyright Alan Simpson

This pair of Mandarin were seen just south on Milton Keynes on the Grand Union Canal.  There seems to be a gradual increase in the numbers of this species in this area of the county in more recent years.

Burnham Beeches - 13th October 2002

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Photos copyright Jim Rose

Despite it's bright colours the Mandarin can be extremely elusive.  This individual sat quietly in the middle of the Upper Pond in Burnham Beeches and did not move despite several people with dogs being fairly close.  The species stronghold in Buckinghamshire is in the SE corner of the county and the population has undoubtedly been helped by a nest box scheme that ran for many years at Taplow Court and Cliveden.  The species is regularly seen at Burnham Beeches and certainly breed there.  The many holes in the older trees offer plenty of suitable nest sites.