Mandarin duck nests in Finland for first time

A mandarin duck has nested in Finland for the first time, with a brood of four ducklings spotted last week on a pond in Teijo, Salo, according to BirdLife Finland.

One duckling has since likely fallen prey to predators, the organisation reported.

The colourful species, native to East Asia, has spread from captivity into the wild across Europe, with breeding populations exceeding 500 pairs in Germany. It nests in similar cavities and boxes as the common goldeneye.

Turku-based birdwatcher Peter Uppstu said the mandarin duck is unlikely to multiply to the point of competing with native species like the goldeneye.

He urged visitors to keep their distance from the Teijo brood to allow the ducklings to grow undisturbed. Earlier this spring, a mandarin duck in Turku’s Katariina valley drew crowds but appeared unperturbed by photographers, as it could retreat from them.

BirdLife Finland noted that the species may have attempted nesting before. In 2014, a pair was observed near a goldeneye nest box in Koski, but no ducklings were seen at the time.