Theres been a drake Garganey plotted up in a pond in some woods in Dorset for some weeks, although he seems to have disappeared now... He looks to have coupled up with a Mallard, and some ducklings have been produced, but these also have done a disappearing act as well. Are there many/any records of hybridisation between these two species on record ?
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Garganey x Mallard, uk. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter miami
- Start date
i didnt myself, but its the general consensus amongst those who have been watching them. There has been no female Garganey present, but as soon as this brood appeared he latched straight on to them and the female Mallard. Then they all disappeared at the same time(ie the same night). Its possible they have moved into a more swampy secluded area in the wood, or left along a small river that runs by the pond..
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
But do drake Garganey play any part in raising the ducklings? Or is it just a chance association, the only other ducks anywhere for company?
The only other ducks there are Mallards, and they give him the odd bit of grief, but he seemed ok with it. My other thought is that he might of flew off or hidden himself away to moult, as all the drake Mallards have disappeared to. The mother is 100% a Mallard, and them ducklings have defo got some Garganey in them. its just a shame they havnt been seen for the last week or so. Would have been interesting to see what they turned out like.
