I think it's a male Mandarin Duck Eshbal, lovely bird!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
I agree with Wendy. Very sensible of me, really!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
But not if I'm wrong Clare! Lol
Just as well you're right, then.
It is indeed a male Mandarin Duck. Looks like they are well embedded now - can't believe we have them wild in Manchester!
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"Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way." John Muir