Another established non-native bird.

Mandarin Ducks were introduced from the Far East, They escaped, or were deliberately released, from captivity in the UK. A rather shy bird, often seen hiding beneath overhanging bushes, they form small flocks. The male bird has very elaborate and decorative plumage with distinctive orange feathers on the side of the face, a purple chest, and large orange feathers which look like small sails on its back. The female is not brightly coloured, with a grey head, white stripe behind the eye, brown back, and mottled lower sides. There was a flock of 10 birds today on the pond I visited today {the most I have seen there.}

These ducks nest in holes in trees, sometimes high up and a long way from the water. After the ducklings hatch, the female will coax the young to jump from the nest. Once they have left the tree make their way back to the water. The Drake will return to the family and help to protect the ducklings

The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a large all-black bird. It is massive – the biggest member of the crow family. This lone bird was using a dead tree as an observation post so hence I could not get very close across the open heathland.

These pictures are cropped in so much more grainy than I would have liked. Spotted New Forest.

• UK breeding birds -7,400 pairs
• Weight800-1,500g
• Wingspan120-150cm

So common is and we have all grown up with Mallard ducks around us so we often overlook this handsome dabbling duck. The Mallard is a large and heavy-looking duck. The male has a dark green head, and a yellow bill. They are mainly purple-brown on the breast and grey on the body. The female is mainly brown with an orange bill. Mallards breed in all parts of the UK