Ducks, Geese & Swans in Berkshire
22 species matching this filter.
Berkshire's rivers, gravel pits and reservoirs provide excellent habitat for 22 species of ducks, geese and swans. The Thames corridor and wetland sites such as Dinton Pastures, Theale and Woolhampton attract a wonderful variety of wildfowl, from resident Greylag and Canada Geese to scarcer visitors like Garganey and Goldeneye. Notable species such as Egyptian Goose and Common Shelduck can also be found breeding or wintering across the county.
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare midwinter visitor, most records likely involve feral or escaped birds. Occasionally turns up on gravel pits alongside other geese.
Jan
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Abundant year-round on lakes, gravel pits and riverside meadows. Large flocks gather on playing fields and farmland, especially in late summer.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon winter visitor, arriving from November on larger rivers and gravel pits. Small parties fish the Thames and its associated waterbodies.
Nov–Mar
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare resident, unusual this far inland. Occasionally breeds at gravel pits and reservoirs, with most records outside the late summer moult period.
Oct–Aug
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
Now common and well-established across Berkshire's parks, lakes and gravel pits. This naturalised African species has spread rapidly in recent decades.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon resident, most numerous in winter on flooded meadows and gravel pits. Whistling flocks graze waterside grasslands along the Thames Valley.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common year-round resident on Berkshire's gravel pits and reservoirs. Often overlooked among Mallards but readily found at sites like Dinton Pastures.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in spring and again in late summer. Look for it on shallow pools at sites like Theale or Woolhampton.
Apr–Sep
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Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to gravel pits and reservoirs from October to March. The bouncing display of the black-and-white males is a winter highlight.
Oct–Mar
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally found among Tufted Duck flocks on larger waters in autumn and winter. Always a noteworthy inland record.
Oct–Jan
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on gravel pits and reservoirs. Ancestor of domestic geese, with a growing feral population in the Thames Valley.
Year-round
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on larger reservoirs in December. A scarce inland record for this predominantly coastal sea duck.
Dec
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most widespread duck in Berkshire, common on every lake, river and park pond throughout the year. Breeds readily along the Thames and its tributaries.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but year-round resident favouring wooded rivers and lakes. The Thames Valley holds a notable population of this spectacular introduced species.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar sight on the Thames and Berkshire's lakes year-round. Breeds along rivers and gravel pits, often seen with cygnets in summer.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in midwinter on gravel pits and reservoirs. An elegant but scarce inland duck in Berkshire.
Jan
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident, most conspicuous in winter when numbers are boosted by migrants. Favours shallow, muddy-edged pools at gravel pit complexes.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper gravel pits and reservoirs. Numbers have declined nationally, making Berkshire's wintering flocks increasingly notable.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident on larger gravel pits. The striking males are eye-catching, though origins of some birds may be uncertain.
Mar–Jan
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare resident, now extremely scarce following the national eradication programme. Occasional sightings persist at scattered gravel pit sites.
Aug–Apr
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare but eagerly sought winter visitor to gravel pits and reservoirs. The striking 'white nun' males appear in cold spells from November to February.
Nov–Feb
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck found year-round on gravel pits, reservoirs and deeper lakes. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round