Mandarin Duck and Other Birds

I visited Thornton Reservoir in the National Forest in Leicestershire in hope of sighting a rare Mandarin Duck which had been seen in the area.

The Mandarin Duck is held in high regard in Chinese culture as they, unlike other ducks, are believed to be lifelong couples, as a result they are regularly featured in Chinese art.

Mandarin ducks are also known as "Wedding Ducks" in Korean culture and Lovebirds/Happily Married Couples in Japanese culture.

At the reservoir a veritable menagerie of waterfowl could be observed with Swans, Mallards and a very noisy Chinese Goose making himself known to most of Leicestershire with his loud honking, but as yet no sign of the star of the show.

Walking around the reservoir and keeping our eyes peeled for the elusive duck, we were told by some passing binocular yielding walkers that they had witnessed our colorful friend standing on a log in a wooded area just off the shoreline path, turning a corner the unmistakable brightly patterned duck was indeed stood ready to perform, a log his stage with a backdrop curtain of bluebells and woodland.

The Mandarin duck stood  like a supermodel "striking a pose".

Approaching carefully so as not to spook the animal, he kept one eye on my movements and I on his.

I set my camera down on a conveniently located "dog poo" bin and the performance began, ruffling his feathers and showing his colours he seemed to putting on a show worthy of strictly come dancing routine or a carnival float in Brazil.

looking directly at the camera he seemed to say "shows over" I ended the recording and left him to await his next audience.