The wonder of winter wildfow

WHILE winter may feel like a period of dormancy for nature, for some species it’s one of the busiest times.

- With Stuart McCarthy, Communications and Campaigns Manager

Ducks, geese and swans are in their finest plumage and look spectacular in the sharp winter sunlight. Their numbers rise significantly as birds join our resident flocks from colder climes to spend the winter on our lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastline.

A winter destination

The latest figures from the BTO, taken from a range of volunteer-led surveys including the annual Wetland Bird Survey, estimate an overwintering population of 12.8 million birds. That's a lot of birds (and a lot of counting!) including 2 million ducks and 76,000 swans, which are my particular favourites.

The UK is an important winter location for many species, offering refuge from harsh wintry conditions further north and east and a range of habitats for feeding and roosting through the colder months.

A seasonal spectacle

Winter wildfowl were my gateway species into birdwatching and bird identification. So which species might we spot when out on a winter walk?