Water Birds

There are many species of water birds in the UK. They are made up of waders, divers, waterfowl etc. There are 632 species of birds found in the UK.Many of these are migrants travelling long distances from Africa etc.

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Canada Geese

They are a common bird across most of the country, nesting on park lakes, flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Canada geese are not native to this country, having been introduced from North America about 300 years ago.

Canada Geese

Ducks

The UK’s 22 regularly occurring duck species are shown below, along with their breeding and wintering populations, and their status as UK birds. The majority are native but a few are non-native, introduced accidentally or deliberately.

Female Mallard Duck

Mallard Duck

Shoveler

Great Crested Grebe

The Great Crested Grebe is a delightful, elegant waterbird with decorative head plumes. Great Crested Grebes dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. They have an elaborate courtship display which sees them rise out of the water and shake their heads. Very young Grebes often ride on their parents' backs.

Fight between 2 males

The winner and his lady

Muted Swan

The Mute Swan is a very large white waterbird. It has an S-shaped neck and an orange bill with a black base and a black bump. It flies with its neck extended, making regular, slow wingbeats. The population in the UK has increased recently, perhaps due to better protection of this species.