One of my favourite starting places in The New Forest for a walk is Cadman’s Pool It was the idea of Arthur Cadman who was Deputy Surveyor of the New Forest in the 1960s. The pond is on Ocknell Plain, and at the edge of Stoney Cross Airfield (a WW2 aerodrome). It was dug to enhance the aesthetic appeal of this corner of the Forest.
After a circular walk and the placing of our trail camera’s on a badgers sett we found on last weeks walk in the area I was able to spot some wildlife on the pond.
These Mandarin Ducks have paired up and seem to have established their home on Cadman’s Pool. As I have posted before there is a group of about 6 ducks on Eyeworth Pond which is about 2 miles away as the crow (or duck) fly’s so I suspect these have relocated from there.



This picture gives you a good size comparison of the Mandarin with a Mallard.

About 6 Canada Geese were pairing up – A rather noisy process!






Such beautiful ducks. Those geese certainly can be noisy. This looks like a great place to take walk.
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The New Forest – is our closest natiional park and it allows lots of space to wonder and enjoy nature in Woodland and Moorland.
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Beautiful avian shots, Andy! š
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thank you Tom
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Those Mandarin ducks are spectacular looking. The geese make me laugh sometimes … they “go off” on each other, hissing, wing-flapping and the noise! A few minutes later they paddle away.
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The Mandarin numbers seem to be increasing locally.
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That’s lucky for you Andy.
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