Cannop Ponds, Forest of Dean
Being a tree nesting species it's not surprising that these ducks have found the forest to their liking with an abundance of suitable tree nest sites, pond and lakes all close by. One of the best locations I've found to see these ducks is Cannop Ponds, particularly the top pond, in fact I have even seen them from the car on Marion's Pool on the weekly shopping drive down to Monmouth so it's always worth keeping a look out as they can turn up anywhere.
Outside of breeding season later in the year is a good time to photograph these ducks as they often group together with up to twenty individuals, the males busyly jostling each other for the attention of the females giving you the chance to get really close as they are preoccupied trying to be top dog, or should that be top duck !
Mandarin Duck
Mandarin Duck (female)
Never managed to get a decent shot of the female in difficult light and always wary of your presence
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