Wildfowl are birds of fresh water, excluding divers and grebes, and can be split into multiple families, as they are below, basic groupings are: Swans, Geese, Dabbling Ducks, Diving Ducks (including sea ducks), and Sawbills.
SWANS
Swans are very large elegant birds, with long necks, and large bodies.
No. of species recorded in the UK: 3 (5 including Black Swan and Tundra swan - US Bewick's)
No of species photographed: 2
No of species photographed: 2
Below are my photographs of Swans photographed in the UK, listed in systematic order.
MUTE SWAN
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Cygnet
WHOOPER SWAN
Whooper Swan
Whooper Swan
Whooper Swan
Whooper Swan (with Mute Swan)
GEESE
Heavy set, large birds, who specialise in grazing their food.
No. of species recorded in the UK: 16 (13 Geese 3 shelduck)
No of species photographed: 5
No of species photographed: 5
Below are my photographs of Geese photographed in the UK, listed in systematic order.
WHITE FRONTED GEESE
(Greenland) White Fronted Geese in Flight
GREYLAG GEESE
Greylag Geese flying at Dusk
Greylag Geese in morning mist
Greylag Goose
CANADA GEESE
Canada Geese in Flight
Canada Goose chicks
Canada Goose
BRENT GEESE
Brent Goose
Brent Goose
Brent Goose
Brent Goose
EGYPTIAN GEESE
Egyptian Goose
Egyptian Goose in Flight
DABBLING DUCKS
Small ducks, that generally feed off the surface of the water, maybe dipping down only as far as their necks can reach.
No. of species recorded in the UK: 14 (15 with wood duck)
No of species photographed: 6
No of species photographed: 6
Below are my photographs of Dabbling Ducks photographed in the UK, listed in systematic order.
MALLARD
Mallard (Male)
Mallard
Mallard (Duckling)
Mallards in mist
Mallard (female)
Mallard on Ice
GADWALL
Gadwall (Female left, Male right)
Gadwall (female)
PINTAIL
SHOVELER
Shoveler (Male in partial eclipse)
EURASIAN WIGEON
Eurasian Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
EURASIAN TEAL
Teal (Male)
Teal (Male)
DIVING DUCKS
Specialist divers, these ducks search for food underwater, swimming to great depths in search of molluscs.
No. of species recorded in the UK: 24
No of species photographed: 4
Below are my photographs of Diving Ducks photographed in the UK, listed in systematic order.
POCHARD
Pochard (male)
Pochard in Flight (female in focus)
Pochard (male)
TUFTED DUCK
Tufted Duck
Tufted Duck
Tufted Duck
Tufted Duck
Tufted Duck
LONG-TAILED DUCK
Long-Tailed Duck
Long-Tailed Duck (winter plumage)
GOLDENEYE
Goldeneye (Male with female tufted duck)
SAWBILLS
Diving ducks, characterized by a small hooked tip to the bill (many also appear to have teeth).
No. of species recorded in the UK: 5 (6 including White Headed Duck)
No of species photographed: 2
No of species photographed: 2
Below are my photographs of Sawbills photographed in the UK, listed in systematic order.
RUDDY DUCK
Ruddy Duck (captive bird as wild birds have been wiped out to protect White Headed Duck)
GOOSANDER
Goosander
Goosander (Male)
Goosander (female and youngsters)
