The duck that says cryc
Isn’t this female Teal a stunner? The iridescent green colour of the speculum on the wing feathers is breathtaking in this sunshine. …
Mandarin
A male Mandarin Duck is always a cheerful sight. They are a constant reminder of just how much thought goes into choosing …
The great black duck from Hudson’s Bay
Wee were delighted by a visit from “The great black duck from Hudson’s Bay” in Torbay last week. A Surf Scoter was …
One person’s White Ibis is another person’s Bin Chicken
Even if it’s a common species it’s well worth appreciating. I remember going to Australia (I had half a day’s work there …
Wigeon
I love how beautiful Wigeon are close-up. Their patterns and colours are a delight. Many come to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia …
Fighting Drakes
There’s an awful lot of behaviour going on with ducks. There’s a social order and dominance hierarchy and sexual violence wherever you …
Floating Eider
I’ve been enjoying floats of Eider Ducks all around Westray this summer. Occasionally I’ll see a group of males hassling a female. …
Three Shovels
I was attempting to get my ducks in a row at RSPB Ham Wall as these Northern Shovelers had an energetic flypast. …
Quackers
I spot a group of Mallard Ducks taking off from the water at RSPB Radipole. They’re a hundred metres away, but it’s …
I’m just dabbling
There’s a Eurasian Teal plodding its way through the mud towards me at RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth. I love how muddy its …
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 …
Spatula
There is a pair of Northern Shovelers, Spatula clypeata, in The Regent’s Park. I sit under a weeping Willow and hope they’ll …
Another reason to love Dunters
Dunter is the Orcadian name for the Common Eider Duck. I find it hard to believe that Eider Ducks are still extant. …
Mandarin splashabout
I love a Mandarin Duck shot. I decide to lie on the ground and get my camera as low to the water …
When your mates arrive pre-loaded
It’s an evening out in England and your friends are meeting at yours. The cost of alcohol in pubs and clubs means …
A Mandarin Duck spectacular
The light’s just right. And so is the duck. Photographs of Mandarin Ducks just never get old. Unlike me. After lying down …
Gadwall
Duck identification isn’t my specialist subject for Mastermind. So when this handsome chap flies past I have to resort to Professor Google, …
A little piece of South America in Devon
We’re walking down the River Otter looking for Otters (no, we didn’t see any) when I notice what looks like a plastic …
Duckling time
It’s duckling time and a splishy and splashy grand parade of cuteness is heading my way. I think there are seven or …
Ruddy Shelduck
Followers of this blog will know my love for ducks. As soon as I saw this gorgeous ginger specimen, I knew what …
Dunters
Eider Ducks are called Dunters in Orkney. There are great floats of them off the coast. The males have done their job …
Counting your Ducklings
There are three sets of Mallard ducklings on my local river. It’s a struggle to keep track of them. For a start, …
Reserved
The sign is clear. This space is reserved. Either this duck can’t read or it’s very, very important.
Duckling
They are symbolic of spring; cute fluffy ducklings This parade of Mallard ducklings were barely larger than the eggs that once contained …
Duck!
Ducks are a constant source of comedy. If you want to tell a joke including an animal, a duck is the safest …
Mallard malady
This male Mallard looks so healthy in the spring sunshine: It takes a lot of nutritious food to make the complex chemistry …
Open water at the Lago di Chiusi
Arriving at the Lago di Chiusi on a glorious day in Italy is a treat. There’s a lakeside fish restaurant, walks around …
Gadwall at Ham Wall
There’s a group of five Gadwall making a racket as they fly in ridiculously close formation at RSPB Ham Wall. Close up …
I’m not the only one who finds ducks faintly ridiculous, am I?
Exhibit A: The Red-Crested Pochard: Surely this one takes the biscuit for the most ridiculous duck in the UK? The UK breeding …
The reason ducks have such brilliant eyes
There’s a female Tufted Duck on the lake at The Regent’s Park in London. Looking at it I marvel at how brilliant …