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The wonder of winter wildfowl

Dense flock of Wigeon (Anas penelope) flying over Bullrushes (Typha latifolia) in flooded marshland on a foggy winter day with some Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) in flight and standing in the background. Greylake RSPB reserve, Somerset Levels, UK, January. - Nick Upton/2020VISION/naturepl.com

While winter may feel like a period of dormancy for nature, for some species it’s one of the busiest times.

Ducks, geese and swans are in their finest plumage and look spectacular in the sharp winter sunlight. Their numbers rise significantly as birds join our resident flocks from colder climes to spend the winter on our lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastline.

A winter destination

The latest figures from the BTO, taken from a range of volunteer-led surveys including the annual Wetland Bird Survey, estimate an overwintering population of 12.8 million birds. That’s a lot of birds (and a lot of counting!) including 2 million ducks and 76,000 swans, which are my particular favourites. 

The UK is an important winter location for many species, offering refuge from harsh wintry conditions further north and east and a range of habitats for feeding and roosting through the colder months. 

A pair of wigeon stand on a muddy shore

Female (left) and male (right) wigeon © Chris Gomersall/2020VISION

A seasonal spectacle

Winter wildfowl were my gateway species into birdwatching and bird identification. So which species might we spot when out on a winter walk?

Overwintering wigeon are a popular sight and can often be seen grazing near the water’s edge. The small resident UK population is boosted by arrivals from Scandinavia. Look out for the yellow patch on the foreheads of the males and listen for their distinctive short whistling call. 

Teal

©Guy Edwardes/2020VISION

Slightly harder to spot, but equally beautiful birds, are teal. One of our smallest ducks, male teals have a noticeable chestnut head with a green patch that extends over the eye.  Both males and females have a bright green wing patch that can be spotted when in flight. I usually find that groups of teal will congregate on the water but nearer to the reeds around the edge of lakes.

Gadwall

©Guy Edwardes/2020VISION

The number of mallards has a huge boost during winter and can be spotted on most of our waterways. In large flocks, look out for gadwalls that will often associate with mallard during the winter. Female gadwalls look similar to female mallards but the white patches on their wings give them away. Male gadwalls have distinctive black plumage towards their rears – easier to spot when they feed and up-end! 

Coastal characters

My winter birdwatching includes sites along the internationally important Severn estuary and there a couple of species that frequently show up.

Shoveler

Shoveler © Gary Cox

The shoveler is a fascinating bird with its large shovel-like beak, usually sweeping along the surface of the water or the marshy areas. These birds tend to stay a bit further away so either binoculars or a scope are handy for a really good view.

Shelduck

©Guy Edwardes/2020VISION

I also see good numbers of shelduck, which are easy to spot with their larger size and white plumage contrasting with the surroundings. They tend to fly between different spots on the water’s edge, sifting through the mud for invertebrates. 

Away from the coast, one of my favourite winter spectacles is spotting goosanders on the local river. They are absent during the warmer months but start showing up towards the end of the year. The males have a glossy dark green head while the females have the distinctive red heads. They congregate in smallish groups of between 6 and 8 birds and seem to patrol stretches of the river, looking for fish. Through binoculars, their long bills with a serrated edge look quite fearsome.

Goosander (female)

(c) Richard Steel/2020VISION

If you’re venturing out on a winter walk, look out for the amazing array of wildfowl on your local wetland. You could even make it one of your ‘12 Days Wild’ activities with Avon Wildlife Trust between Christmas and New Year. 

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