Goldeneye

We’re told there’s a pair of Goldeneye when we arrive at RSPB Radipole. I’ve seen one before from a great distance and know they’re very beautiful ducks. We spot them, and stand amongst a crowd admiring them. We have to wait until everyone else has gone for them to paddle close to us.

In Italian, the Goldeneye is known as il quattrocchi. A literal translation of their Italian name is Foureyes, presumably because of the white patches on the male’s cheeks. The females are sleek and admirably streamlined:

We get an energetic wing flap before we go.

What a fabulous duck.