taken 15 days ago, 4 km NNW of Wolsingham, County Durham, England
Massed mallards at reservoir car park
There are large numbers of mallards all around Tunstall Reservoir many of which congregate close to the car park where they pester visitors for food handouts.
The males are in full breeding plumage having gone through the end of summer moult which is a two-stage change of feathers known as the eclipse.
NZ0641 : Tunstall Reservoir Tunstall Reservoir (460'asl) was formed in 1880 when the Waskerley Beck was dammed, 3 miles above Wolsingham. The water is filtered naturally through the local millstone grit and supplies several villages in SW Durham with their drinking water.