While doing a (much delayed) WEBS count yesterday morning along the Cleddau north of Little Milford, I was scanning the far shore and, to my surprise there were two Mandarin Drakes on the muddy shore, in splendid breeding plumage.
There were also two possible females, although I could not get a clear view of them. Since I was trying to keep track of a flock of dunlin flying around the estuary, in order to avoid double counting, I quickly moved on.
They were on the stretch of river between the stream at Little Milford and the point where the shoreline path goes up into a field, about a third of a mile further north.
No photo I'm afraid. But... if those were two females with the two males........??
Peter Royle
