Ducks, Geese & Swans in Cheshire

27 species matching this filter.

All birds in CheshireView family page

Cheshire's diverse wetland habitats, from the meres and mosses of the Cheshire Plain to the estuarine mudflats of the Dee and Mersey, make it an outstanding county for ducks, geese and swans. With 27 species recorded, birdwatchers can enjoy sightings ranging from resident Greylag Geese and Common Shelduck to winter visitors such as Eurasian Wigeon and Goldeneye. Notable populations of Barnacle Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese add further interest during the colder months, while occasional sightings of introduced species like Egyptian Goose and Black Swan provide unexpected variety.

Ruddy Duck
Ruddy DuckSmallest · 35cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Ruddy Duck (35cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)17 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 27 species

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, mostly feral birds mixing with Canada Goose flocks on meres and parkland lakes year-round.

Year-round

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

Black Swan

Cygnus atratusLC

A rare and likely escaped species, occasionally seen on meres and lakes, mainly in autumn and winter months.

Sep–Jan

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

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

Common and conspicuous on lakes, meres and park ponds throughout the year. Large moulting flocks form in summer.

Year-round

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

An uncommon resident found on rivers and meres year-round. Often seen on the Dee and Weaver, diving for fish in clear water.

Jul–May

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare passage visitor in July, sometimes seen on the Dee Estuary or larger meres during midsummer movements.

Jul

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

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

Common year-round, breeding on the Dee and Mersey estuaries. Large moulting flocks gather in late summer.

Year-round

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

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

A rare feral resident of African origin, found year-round on parkland lakes. The population is slowly spreading.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Uncommon but present year-round, with numbers peaking in winter on the Dee Estuary and inland meres.

Year-round

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

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Gadwall

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

Common on meres and reservoirs year-round. Has increased significantly in Cheshire over recent decades.

Year-round

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer visitor and scarce breeder, arriving in spring at shallow wetlands and pools on the Cheshire plain.

Mar–Sep

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

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to Cheshire's meres and reservoirs, present from October to April. Males are striking with their green-glossed heads.

Oct–Apr

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally found among Tufted Duck flocks on larger meres from November to February.

Nov–Feb

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, occasionally turning up on flooded fields or among other goose flocks in December to February.

Dec–Feb

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

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

Common year-round on meres, lakes and farmland. Feral populations breed readily across Cheshire's lowland wetlands.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare passage visitor in March and November, occasionally seen on larger meres and reservoirs during migration.

Nov–Mar

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

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

Abundant and widespread on virtually any waterbody, from town park ponds to rural meres and the canal network.

Year-round

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

An uncommon resident favouring wooded lakes and rivers. Nests in tree holes along waterways in the eastern hills.

Year-round

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

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A common and familiar resident gracing canals, meres and rivers across the county throughout the year.

Year-round

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

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An uncommon but elegant resident, most numerous in winter on the Dee Estuary marshes and nearby flooded fields.

Year-round

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

Common on meres and shallow wetlands year-round. Numbers increase in winter as continental birds arrive.

Year-round

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

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

Uncommon but spectacular in winter, with skeins flying over farmland. Absent in midsummer; favours stubble fields.

Sep–May

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

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon resident found on deeper meres and reservoirs. Numbers have declined nationally; winter flocks are small.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensisLC

A rare resident, now heavily reduced by national eradication efforts. Small numbers may persist on Cheshire's meres and pools.

Year-round

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