THE lakes of the Forest are becoming a mecca for one of the prettiest birds of inland waters – Mandarin ducks.

Local bird expert and former Forest RSPCA spokesman Ivan Proctor has been out and about counting their numbers and says the Forest has been recognised for holding the largest numbers of the ducks in Britain.

"A year or so ago they nearly all vanished but now they are back in considerable numbers," he said.

"They are very easily recognised and the largest population is on the top end of the lowest pond at Cannop – we counted 134 pairs," he said. At Sallowvallets there were 54, and the small Brockall Ditches pool (between Parkend and Blakeney) 33, while at Three Islands near Speech House there were 9.

"The birds are currently pairing up before breeding in March next year," he said.

They nest in tree holes, often some distance from the ground, and the youngsters usually fall harmlessly to the ground when quite small and are shepherded to nearby water.

Ivan said he wondered if part of the reason for the numbers was connected with somebody who bred the birds – which are not native to Britain – at Pope's Hill.