The Mandarin

 Long term readers may remember me writing of the male mandarin duck that used to spend time at the Blue Lake; one of the odd birds that perhaps found its way there from a collection like the pink footed goose that used to visit, or the Jurassic looking muscovy drake that used to creak around on massively clawed webbed feet.

This bird, however, has not been seen on the Blue Lake for a while. 

There have been reports of it down on the Trent from time to time, but I've not seen it down there...no wait I have. Once, amidst the roots of the willow by the castle wall. But that was pre-pandemic times, I'm sure. 

Which of course begs the question - was the beautiful mandarin drake with golden sails I saw further down the river by the locks yesterday the same bird? I've no idea. 

But it feels rather more romantic, so to speak, to believe that it is. It's not as if there's loads of mandarin ducks round here.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 28.03.23

The Mandarin has Returned

 The weather has taken a slightly more pleasant turn, and I've been able to get some nice autumn walks in, and the odd run too. 

Slow runs, with my newly returned and frustrating stomach wobbling. 

As well as revisiting the cafe on the park, I've been round the two lakes and was delighted to discover that the beautiful mandarin drake has returned from his summer holidays, and is back on the Blue Lake again looking super beautiful.

I have no idea if he has a mate anywhere, but I hope so.

Speaking of mates, the mallard drakes are now in their winter plumage again and looking very smart with their bottle green heads. They are getting feisty over the ladies already too, with some hissy fits down on the water. 

I'm counting down until snowdrop time already.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 20.10.20

Wild Garlic is Out

Ventured further afield today, by lockdown standards, but please don't complain to the authorities as I was still staying local.

Yes, I went to the cemetery, having just paid a sort of socially distant visit to my stepfather that involved me talking to him from about 15 feet away for a few minutes. First conversation I have had in the flesh for weeks, it feels like.

So yes, in the damp ditch in the cemetery, the wild garlic is just coming into flower. Just being the operative word, only one of these slightly silky little blooms was open. But the big flat leaves were out, and as ever, the smell of the crushed leaves was sharply pungent..

No sign of any bluebells yet, native or otherwise. Mainly otherwise in this town, alas.

Next to the blue lake the mandarin drake was having a snooze and I was able to get really quite close to him. And blew the photo opp a bit. Oh dear.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 30.03.20

And then came the Snow

I have to say, after a bright but very cold start to the day with barely a cloud in the sky, I wasn't expecting to open my door after lunch (and a nap) to find fat, wet flakes of snow coming down from the sky like a fall of cotton wool.

I didn't recall seeing that in any forecast.

Considering it no excuse not to go out, rather an opportunity, I decided to take a 90 minute urban walk rather than the stroll to Winthorpe Lake I had planned, figuring it too boggy next to the river to make for a pleasant outing.

Besides, the snow would make for some decent photo opps, and of course, I did capture a snowdrop in the snow, which I knew was doomed to never properly settle.

I was interested to note a sort of quantum effect on the blue lake today. Either I saw the same mandarin drake in two totally different places on the water, or a second mandarin drake has come to join the aquatic party here. I have no way of knowing for certain, but I wish it was the latter.

There were other birds of interest; a goosander which was hard to see when the snow was at its heaviest, and a kingfisher whose flash of neon blue stood out easily against the white and grey.

It has been very cold out, and since returning I've just sat in the warm, halogen heater blazing, and watching Vampire role playing games.

As one does.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 10.02.20