Oldt1mer - Keith's photos with the keyword: Duck

This is the Eurasian Teal – Anas crecca – which is a small dabbling duck which breeds in Eurosiberia and migrates south in the winter. Also known as the Common Teal or Eurasian Green-Winged Teal it is commonly found in sheltered wetlands feeding on seeds and aquatic invertebrates. This is a male in nuptial plumage, as can be seen by the white stripe running along his flanks, which was seen at Martin Mere Wetlands. Explore No 254, 19 July 2023. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

This is the male Northern Shoveler – Spatula clypeata – in its breeding/winter colours. Originally classed as Anas clypeata, a study of DNA sequences caused it to be moved into the Spatula genus. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans and plankton by swinging its bill from side to side and filtering the food through small comb like structures on the edge of its bill. This one was seen at Pennington Flash. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

The Wigeon - Mareca penelope – is a medium sized Duck with a round head and a short bill. Eating mainly aquatic plants, grasses and roots it is a ‘dabbling duck’, meaning it feeds mainly on the surface of the water rather than diving for its food. I was lucky to catch both the male (foreground) and the female side by side at Martin Mere Wetlands. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

The Smew - Mergellus albellus - is a small diving duck with a smaller and more pointed bill than usual for a duck which helps as they eat mainly insects, insect larva and fish. They breed across northern Europe laying their eggs in holes high up in tree trunks which they line with down and soft feathers, some, however, visit the UK from Holland and Denmark over the winter months to escape the very cold weather. As you can see, the males are white with black markings, the females and immature males are mainly grey with chestnut foreheads and crowns. Seen at Martin Mere Wetland Center, Burscough, Lancashire. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.