In and around the WWT Arundel Wild Wetland Centre. Mandarin Ducks and Water Rail. 01.03.22

On Tuesday 1st March I returned to Arundel to go to the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Wetland Centre; when I was in Arundel on Monday, we only went to the Swanbourne Lake teashop. I got the train from Brighton (changing at Barham)

In the brook aside Mill Road, on the way to the Wetland Centre I saw this pair of Mandarin ducks. The woman who runs the Swanbourne Café, said to me on Monday that this pair had been around for some time, so they are probably a naturalised feral pair, rather than recent escapees from the WWT.

On the brook beside Mill Road

Juvenile Grey Heron

The pair of Mandarin ducks

Juvenile Heron, two juvenile Mute Swans, and the pair of Mandarin ducks

The male mandarin duck has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side of the face, orange 'sails' on the back, and pale orange flanks. The female is dull by comparison with a grey head and white stripe behind the eye, brown back and mottled flanks. They were introduced to the UK from China and have become established following escapes from captivity. Population: UK breeding: 2,300 pairs; UK wintering: 7,000 birds. Mandarin Duck Facts | Aix Galericulata - The RSPB

A pair of Mallards

Swanbourne Lake

Female Tufted Duck

Male Tufted Duck

In a reedbed outside the WWT Wetland Centre - Water Rail

Inside the WWT Wetland Centre.

Male Pheasant

Male Blackbird

Female and two male Tufted Ducks

Shelducks

Male Shoveler

Under a bird feeder

Water Rail

Moorhen

Female Pheasant

Great Tits

Male Goldeneye. Goldeneyes are native to the UK, but these are part of the WWT's collection