Oystercatcher and Mandarin at Chatsworth

A shame that the nesting attempt by the Oystercatchers was unsuccessful this year, I think that the nest was unintentionally disturbed during the tidying up of the river bank prior to the gardens opening up again. Both birds are still present and the scene looks almost coastal with them stood on the rocks below the weir.
I counted 35 Mandarin duck between the single arch bridge and the house which included several family parties. Many of the young are fully feathered and independent of their parents but some are still small and downy and are perhaps second broods. 
A few Redstart along the river bank and still a pair of Spotted Flycatcher but it felt almost autumnal in the cooler wet weather.

Oystercatcher

Mandarin - female with ducklings