Later, at Tanybwlch, I thought there was something odd about the male Mandarin then realised that it is moulting into eclipse plumage. Head ornaments still intact but the orange sails have gone as has the flank colouration.
Saturday 9 June 2018
Sandwich Terns and Mandarin
A quick scan of the sea on arrival at the prom this morning produced a very late spring Sandwich Tern, perched on a buoy out in the bay, then another four on the outer rocks at Castle Point.
Later, at Tanybwlch, I thought there was something odd about the male Mandarin then realised that it is moulting into eclipse plumage. Head ornaments still intact but the orange sails have gone as has the flank colouration.
Later, at Tanybwlch, I thought there was something odd about the male Mandarin then realised that it is moulting into eclipse plumage. Head ornaments still intact but the orange sails have gone as has the flank colouration.