Visit today produced a record 26 Mandarin Ducks - the most ever seen in the county. I suspect they have been there all summer as most were still coming out of moult. There were 13 there in June but I have only seen small numbers since probably because they have been favouring the largest and most densely vegetated island. Now they are back on the smaller more thinly vegetated island so easier to see. They usually stay until about late October.
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duncansfraser
Aug 30, 2017
Brasside Ponds
Brasside Ponds
8 comments
that's excellent - good to hear some positive local bird news !
This is a cropped digi-scoped image (taken at 80m range), at Brasside Oct 2013 showing how unobtrusive they can be (4 possibly 5 birds in image).
New record - 28 this morning. 23 on small island and 5 on small pond. I suspect there are over 30 as most of the island is still covered in foliage and impossible to view. The males are pretty much back in breeding plumage. Also at least 2 kingfishers - lots of activity, 7 Jay, buzzard, 3 bullfinch, stock dove and first wigeon of the autumn
excellent ! - have you had them breed on the ponds ? (I'm missing 8/10 of the most recent A/Reports)
you got a postcode for this area?
https://goo.gl/uvDFZf
https://goo.gl/SrzpW4
https://goo.gl/8h8DgM
Access by vehicle along track between Frankland Jail & Low Newton Remand Centre,
Park in area before smallholding / kennels.
Walk round - access the ponds via blue marker on 3rd map link above.
OR
Park in Durham nr Crook Hall and walk 2.5km north through Frankland Farm to ponds, with selection of farmland, wood scrub & riverside species.
Getting more difficult to count them as they are moving around more, but seemed to be 28 mandarin on or near small island, 8 flew out from large island and 4 on small pond. Singles flying around but probably from the above 3 groups. Also 8 female pintail - a very good count for Brasside, though 4 departed east.
Big Four Zero - Great !
I reckon a couple of nest boxes may be worth a try on the islands Duncan......
If I bump into the owners, I will discuss this