We recently had a visitor to the village pond. A single male Mandarin (Aix galericulata) The bird has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side, orange 'sails' on the back and lighter orange flanks. I've read on the RSPB website, that the birds were introduced to the UK from China and have become common through escapes from captivity.

The birds' main home is in southern, central England, with smaller numbers occurring in Wales and Northern England and Scotland. they apparently enjoy lakes with plenty of over hanging trees, so our village pond was ideal!

This poor fellow was all alone, lost no doubt. I don't think he took to the offerings of bread from the children, as Mandarins enjoy eating insects and vegetation. Although elsewhere in the country, they can be seen all year round, this was my first sighting. Estimated numbers in the UK are 7,000.

I set off early on the 13 October with my camera to get a good picture, but alas, he had flown! The image I have included is from the RSPB, I hope they don't file a claim!

Visit the superb RSPB website here: http://www.rspb.org.uk

Keith

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