Mandarin Duck nests in Finland for the first time

Finland has recorded its first-ever successful nesting of the Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata), a vibrant species native to East Asia. A brood of ducklings was recently discovered in Teijo, Salo, marking a notable event in Finnish ornithology, according to Birdlife Finland.

The Mandarin Duck, known for nesting in cavities like the common goldeneye, is widespread in Europe as a farmed bird, with established populations in various countries. The newly found brood of four ducklings was observed on a small pond. Although one duckling is suspected to have been preyed upon, three have survived their first week.

While this is the first confirmed nesting in Finland, potential nesting attempts have been noted previously. In 2014, a pair was observed in Koski Tl, even perching on a goldeneye nest box. However, a brood had never been sighted until now. Despite being an alien species in Finland, Birdlife Finland's conservation and research director Teemu Lehtiniemi stated in 2019 that the Mandarin Duck is not considered a harmful invasive species.

The confirmation of this nesting coincides with the end of the spring migration period for many bird species in Finland. The last regular nesting species to arrive was the Siberian tit. While it is currently the peak nesting season for many birds, the autumn migration for older waders has already begun, with large numbers of Eurasian whimbrels reported in various locations.