Dunlin.

I’m up with the light today and taking a walk up the Hamble River. I have good views of Dunlin, a small wader similar to Sanderlings. The Sanderlings favour the sandy beach at Meonshore, whereas the Dunlin like the mud to feed in the tidal river.

Duck Pond.

Muscovy Ducks are found at scattered locations across England. These ducks are usually found close to habitation, they are semi-domesticated or feral. This duck appeared on a pond in the New Forest last week. He is fairly tame, suggesting he is used to people. I suspect he has been dumped at the pond, due to bird flu. There are increased restrictions on fowl ownership in the UK.

The pond also has a good population of another non-native duck – The Mandarins.