This area is better known to insect watchers but whilst down here I always keep an eye on the avian life. Visiting on 31st May I chanced upon my third brood of Mandarins in Cheshire in less than 8 days!! This time I couldn't see how many duckling as they were keeping hidden under overhanging bankside vegetation. The female was present and a t least 4 duckling skittered about! This was on the R.Dee just S.of the Iron Bridge on the private road from Aldford onto the Eaton Hall estate. My experiences, in addition to a post regarding breeding at Bramhall Park, suggest that the species is doing really well in our area