A FLOCK of exotic ducks has descended on a lake in Cheshire.
More than 40 mandarins have settled on the water at Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre near Tarporley.
Bird watching websites were all of a flutter on Monday after the arrival of the unprecedented number of birds.
Janet King, owner of the centre, said she was amazed by the sight of the ornate ducks.
“We usually have one or two mandarin ducks t each year, but we have never had so many here before,” she said.
“The birdwatchers have been flocking to the balcony of our lakeside cafe, just to get a glimpse of these beautiful birds – it has been great for business!”
The male has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side of the face, orange ‘sails’ on the back, and pale orange flanks.
The female is dull by comparison with a grey head and white stripe behind the eye, brown back and mottled flanks.
They were introduced to the UK from China.
