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.

Breeding:
1. A female with at least 6 young was noted on the River Stour opposite Samuel’s Wood on the 19th May 2016 (Steve Morrison).

Other Records:
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.
14. 1 on 20th April 2016 (DC), then 1 on 29th (Martin Wood.)
15. See breeding (above). 1 male on 16th May. 1 on 11th June (Roger Peart).
16. 5 on 6th November 2016: 3 males, 1 female and 1 immature male.