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Saturday 22 March 2014

Tufted Duck [Aythya fuligula]

Found across the UK at most times of year. Look in suitable habitat such as a local reservoir, gravel pit or lake.





Friday 21 March 2014

Wigeon [Anas penelope]

The wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a round head and small bill. The head and neck of the male are chestnut, with a yellow forehead, pink breast and grey body. In flight birds show white bellies and males have a large white wing patch. Birds breed in central and northern Scotland and also in northern England. Many birds visit the UK in winter from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia. With large numbers of wintering birds at a few UK sites it is an Amber List species.





Thursday 20 March 2014

Common Shelduck [Tadorna tadorna]

This is a big, colourful duck, bigger than a mallard but smaller than a goose. Both sexes have a dark green head and neck, a chestnut belly stripe and a red bill.






Wednesday 19 March 2014

Common Teal [Anas crecca]

Teals are small dabbling ducks. Males have chestnut coloured heads with broad green eye-patches, a spotted chest, grey flanks and a black edged yellow tail. Females are mottled brown. Both show bright green wing patches (speculum) in flight. They are thinly distributed as a breeding species with a preference for northern moors and mires. In winter birds congregate in low-lying wetlands in the south and west of the UK. Of these, many are continental birds from around the Baltic and Siberia. At this time, the UK is home to a significant percentage of the NW European wintering population making it an Amber List species. 

Not easy to get a shot at, they keep on moving!!!!!!!!!