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Mandarin ducks

  • 29-04-2013 8:22pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭


    Just wondering are these an invasive species, or have they always been a rare/rare-ish visitor to this country. I'm seeing them more and more now, and there are at least two pairs on the Royal Canal around Ashtown.
    They certainly are a lovely looking bird though.


Comments

  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,072 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    I don't think they're a "visitor" - to the best of my knowledge they've been released from private collections rather than ending up here of their own accord. I suppose they are really an invasice species since they've bred in a few places, but i havn't heard anything about them in terms of potential problems or plans to report and cull them or anything, so it seems they'll probably be left to their own devices in the short term at least

    This Irish Examiner article sheds a bit more light on their presence here: Mandarin Duck an Unlikely Invader

    Old thread about them here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74765357

    They are undoubtedly a lovely looking bird though!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭Capercaille


    As of yet they are not considered invasive in Ireland. In Scotland there are worries that the expanding Mandarin Duck population might compete with nesting Goldeneye for nest sites. Both species nest in holes in trees. Scotland has a very small breeding population of Goldeneye.


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