Ducks, Geese & Swans in Bedfordshire
24 species matching this filter.
Bedfordshire's network of gravel pits, reservoirs, and river valleys provides excellent habitat for 24 species of ducks, geese and swans. The county's wetlands attract a diverse mix of resident and wintering wildfowl, from familiar Canada Geese and Gadwall to less common visitors such as Goldeneye and Greater White-fronted Goose. Notable sites including Priory Country Park and the Marston Vale wetlands offer rewarding opportunities to observe species like Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, and the increasingly established Egyptian Goose.
Showing 1–23 of 24 species
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare passage visitor in July and August, likely an escapee from wildfowl collections rather than a genuine wild vagrant from its Central Asian range.
Jul–Aug
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, present most months but scarce. Most records likely involve feral birds associating with Canada Goose flocks on lakes and gravel pits.
Jun–Apr
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and conspicuous resident breeding on lakes, rivers and gravel pits throughout the county. Large moulting flocks gather in late summer.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to Bedfordshire's gravel pits and reservoirs, occasionally seen diving for fish between November and February.
Nov–Feb
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare resident present mainly from January to August. Occasionally breeds at gravel pits and reservoirs, though Bedfordshire is inland of its preferred coastal haunts.
Jan–Aug
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, breeding around lakes and gravel pits. This established non-native species is spreading steadily across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon visitor mainly outside summer, favouring flooded meadows and reservoir margins. Numbers peak in winter when birds arrive from breeding grounds further north.
Aug–May
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon year-round resident on lakes and gravel pits. Has increased as a breeding bird in Bedfordshire, favouring well-vegetated shallow waters.
Year-round
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Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant recorded in late summer and autumn. This scarce duck favours shallow wetlands and is one of Bedfordshire's most sought-after visitors.
Aug–Oct
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
A rare winter visitor from November to March, favouring larger lakes and gravel pits. The striking black-and-white males are a welcome sight in cold spells.
Nov–Mar
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally turning up on larger lakes and reservoirs. This primarily coastal diving duck is a scarce inland find.
Dec–Jan
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare passage visitor noted in February and December. Small parties occasionally stop at gravel pits and reservoirs during cold-weather movements.
Dec–Feb
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found year-round on lakes, gravel pits and farmland. Feral populations are well established across Bedfordshire's wetlands.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and familiar resident on virtually every waterbody in the county, from park ponds and rivers to gravel pits and flooded fields.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but established resident, favouring wooded lakes and rivers. This striking East Asian species nests in tree holes near quiet waterbodies.
Oct–Jul
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common and elegant resident gracing rivers, lakes and park ponds year-round. Breeds readily across Bedfordshire, often on the River Great Ouse and its tributaries.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor from autumn through to spring, favouring flooded fields and reservoir margins. An elegant duck always worth searching for.
Sep–Mar
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on shallow lakes and gravel pits. Numbers increase in winter when continental birds supplement the small local population.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted in February. Bedfordshire lies south of this species' main wintering range in East Anglia and Lancashire.
Feb
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident, though nationally declining. Favours deeper lakes and gravel pits, with numbers boosted by wintering continental birds.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor in winter months. Records may involve wild continental birds or escapees, making provenance often uncertain.
Dec–Mar
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Now extremely rare following the national eradication programme, with only occasional July passage records in the county.
Jul
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally recorded in February on larger waterbodies. The striking 'white nun' males are highly prized sightings in the county.
Feb