As we are relatively new to the Peaks, we are not sure how unusual this is, thought other blog readers may be interested to see.
We were surprised to see three pairs of Mandarin ducks at a remote dew pond near Milldale last week while out walking, we popped back with a camera today, they appear to be nesting in the area.
Lynn C
PARWICH.ORG 
Two years ago I saw a group of female Mandrins at the ford.
Exquisite little ducks aren’t they John.
Hi JFS, if you walk down Pitts lane I have seen a few pair in that area very recently, I think they maybe nesting quite locally, as I spotted one perching in a tree.
Other than a slight difference in shape when in flight and there call being different to the mallard, they are hard to identify at a distance.
They do nest in hollows of the trees, and Chinese culture believes they are very happily married for life.
Keep em peeled, I would like to say you don’t need any orange sauce with them, but they are protected, and rightly so, but I do see more around which is good news.
DS