Ducks, Geese & Swans in Cambridgeshire

28 species matching this filter.

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Cambridgeshire's extensive network of wetlands, flooded gravel pits, and fenland waterways makes it one of England's finest counties for observing ducks, geese and swans. With 28 species recorded, birders can enjoy a remarkable diversity ranging from common residents like the Greylag Goose and Gadwall to striking visitors such as the Goldeneye and Greater White-fronted Goose. Notable sites including the Ouse Washes, Grafham Water, and the Nene Washes provide vital habitat for both breeding and wintering wildfowl.

Garganey
GarganeySmallest · 37cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Garganey (37cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)16 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 28 species

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, with records likely involving feral birds. Occasionally appears on gravel pits and fenland washes alongside other goose species.

Aug–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common and conspicuous resident of gravel pits, park lakes and river corridors throughout the county. Breeds readily in urban and rural settings.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

A rare winter visitor to larger rivers and reservoirs, occasionally seen in small parties from November to April.

Nov–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Scoter

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare passage visitor in late autumn, occasionally dropping onto reservoirs and gravel pits during stormy weather.

Nov–Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Shelduck

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

An uncommon resident breeding around gravel pits and fenland washes. More conspicuous in spring when pairs display along waterway margins.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, now breeding on gravel pits and park lakes. This naturalised African species is spreading steadily across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Present year-round but most conspicuous in winter when numbers swell on the Ouse Washes and flooded fenland fields.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Gadwall

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

A common resident on lakes and reservoirs, often overlooked among Mallards. Breeds at several Fenland wetland sites.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Garganey

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer breeder, arriving from March and favouring shallow fenland pools and flooded meadows. One of the UK's scarcest breeding ducks.

Mar–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Goldeneye

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

Winters on gravel pits and reservoirs, with small numbers present from autumn to spring. Males show striking white plumage.

Aug–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater Scaup

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor to larger waterbodies, sometimes found among Tufted Duck flocks from November to March.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare winter visitor from December to March, occasionally joining feral goose flocks on flooded fenland fields and the Ouse Washes.

Dec–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

A common resident breeding on gravel pits, lakes and fenland waterways. Large flocks gather on the Ouse Washes and flooded fields in winter.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

Abundant on virtually every waterway, lake, and park pond across the county throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare resident of wooded waterways and park lakes, most often recorded in winter and spring. This striking East Asian species nests in tree holes.

Dec–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Muscovy Duck

Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschataLC

A rare record almost certainly involving an escaped or feral bird. This domesticated species is not established in the wild in Cambridgeshire.

Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A common and elegant resident gracing the Cam, Ouse and fenland waterways year-round. Pairs nest along rivers, lakes and gravel pits across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An elegant dabbling duck found on the Ouse Washes and flooded fields, mainly in winter. Largely absent in midsummer.

Aug–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

Common year-round on the Ouse Washes and gravel pits, using its distinctive spatulate bill to filter shallow waters.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, mainly seen from September to February. Skeins sometimes pass over the Fens en route to traditional wintering grounds.

Sep–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

Present year-round on gravel pits and reservoirs but declining nationally. Winter flocks can gather on larger waterbodies.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally seen on larger waterbodies. Far less frequent inland than Goosander.

Dec–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-crested Pochard

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufinaLC

A rare but increasingly recorded resident, favouring gravel pits and larger lakes. Part of a growing feral population in England.

Apr–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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