Alexandra Park - 27th February

It's not often that we get an unusual bird in Greater Manchester but a week ago there was a report of a female Ring-necked Duck in Alexandra Park which is a very pleasant Victorian park in Whalley Range, close to the city centre. The park contains a smallish lake which usually has several Tufted Ducks during the winter. The Ring-necked Duck showed very well in amongst the Tufted's, diving frequently and coming within range to be photographed.

Female Ring-necked Duck

Female Ring-necked Duck

Female Ring-necked Duck

Didsbury - 1st February

Every now and then something unusual turns up in Fog Lane Park in Didsbury. This male Shoveler has been in the pond for about 3 weeks now. Getting a good photo is not so easy since they have a curious feeding behaviour whereby they constantly spin around in a circle with their head mostly underwater.

male Shoveler