Red-crested Pochard

A couple of weeks ago while I was wandering past Marsworth Reservoir I noticed a pair of Red-crested Pochard Netta Ruffia. The male was swimming alongside the female and energetically displaying by stretching it's head back and flicking it's bill upwards. These attractive ducks prefer to nest in lakeside vegetation, so Marsworth, which is fringed by extensive Reedbeds is ideal. Unfortunately the water is full of predatory fish and the area is also plagued by Mink, so keeping a family of downy young safe is virtually impossible.

Here are some photos taken last May and then again a month later showing the last remaining duckling from the original brood of nine.

Let's hope that they have better success this year!

Female Red-crested Pochard and duckling (Marsworth Reservoir, 14/05/2010)

Red-crested Pochard duckling (Marsworth Reservoir, 14/05/2010)

Female Red-crested Pochard and juvenile (Marsworth Reservoir, 09/06/2010)

Juvenile Red-crested Pochard (Marsworth Reservoir, 09/06/2010)

Juvenile Red-crested Pochard (Marsworth Reservoir, 09/06/2010)

Red-crested Pochard

This pair of Red-crested Pochards Nettia ruffia stayed at Startops and Marsworth Reservoirs for a few weeks from March 19th to April 9th 2008 and the female was briefly seen later in June with one small duckling which did not survive. Like many Red-crested Pochards in this country these birds were fairly tame and approachable making them easy to photograph. This year a pair bred sucessfully at the reservoirs with one young bird surviving from the original brood of nine with the rest probably falling victim to predatory Pike or Mink. Sadly this is the fate that befalls many of the duckings and young Moorhens on the reservoirs.

Red-crested Pochard Nettia ruffia, male and female

Male Red-crested Pochard Nettia ruffia

Female Red-crested Pochard Nettia ruffia

Female Red-crested Pochard Nettia ruffia