In December 2010 a pair of Chestnut Teal spent two days at the fisherman’s pond at Toad Holes beck. I photographed the pair as they were escapees possibly from a wildlife collection. The duck originates from southern Australia but is kept in captivity both in the UK and Europe.
Then on the 21/3/2012 a pair turned up at the pond at Caldene fields. Given a two year lapse I thought there was a good chance they were the same birds.
Today at the middle pond at TH beck I found another pair which were very wary and kept swimming into the reeds for cover…
If these are the same birds that puts them at around 10 years old…hmm.. I just wonder now if the species has bred somewhere and these are the off spring…Then again ‘ Who knows ‘
