Ducks, Geese & Swans in Cornwall

27 species matching this filter.

All birds in CornwallView family page

Cornwall's diverse wetlands, estuaries and coastal habitats support an impressive variety of ducks, geese and swans, with 27 species recorded across the county. From the sheltered waters of the Fal Estuary and Hayle Estuary to the freshwater lakes at Stithians and Drift Reservoir, birdwatchers can enjoy sightings of resident species such as the Common Shelduck and Greylag Goose alongside winter visitors including Eurasian Wigeon, Brent Goose and Goldeneye. Occasional rarities like the Bar-headed Goose also make appearances, adding excitement for keen observers.

Long-tailed Duck
Long-tailed DuckSmallest · 37cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Long-tailed Duck (37cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)11 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 27 species

Bar-headed Goose

Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicusLC

A rare visitor of likely captive origin, occasionally recorded in July. Not a naturally occurring species in Britain.

Jul

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare October passage visitor, with small numbers occasionally appearing on coastal grassland and estuaries during autumn movements.

Oct

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

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish estuaries from autumn through winter. The Camel and Fal estuaries are favoured sites.

Sep–Feb

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

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

An uncommon year-round resident found on lakes, reservoirs and estuaries. Less numerous here than in many English counties.

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 Cornish rivers and estuaries, more typical of freshwater habitats further east and north in Britain.

Nov–Mar

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

Dark sea ducks seen in rafts offshore, particularly around Mount's Bay and St Ives. Scarce but present most of the year.

Jul–Apr

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

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

An uncommon but distinctive resident of sandy estuaries and mudflats. Breeds in burrows near the coast and gathers in moulting flocks.

Year-round

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

Eider

Somateria mollissimaNT

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish coastal waters, most likely seen between autumn and spring around rocky shores and harbours.

Oct–Apr

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

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Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Winters on estuaries like the Camel and Fal, with flocks grazing coastal fields. Absent in midsummer, returning from September.

Sep–May

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

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

A scarce year-round resident, favouring freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Loe Pool and other sheltered waters are reliable sites.

Year-round

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare passage migrant in spring and autumn, favouring shallow freshwater pools and marshes during brief stopovers.

Apr–Sep

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

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to freshwater lakes and sheltered estuaries from November to March. Scarce this far south-west.

Nov–Mar

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor to sheltered bays and estuaries, sometimes mixing with Tufted Duck flocks on inland waters.

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 passage visitor, occasionally appearing on Cornish estuaries and flooded fields in November alongside other wintering wildfowl.

Nov

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

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

A scarce year-round resident, with a mix of feral and genuinely wild birds found on estuaries, lakes and farmland.

Year-round

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

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare winter visitor, occasionally spotted in coastal waters or sheltered bays in November and January.

Nov–Jan

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

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

The commonest duck in Cornwall, found year-round on rivers, estuaries, lakes and farm ponds across the county.

Year-round

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare passage visitor, with occasional December records likely involving wandering feral birds from elsewhere in southern England.

Dec

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

Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschataLC

A rare non-breeding visitor of feral origin, occasionally seen on ponds and waterways during the winter months.

Nov–Mar

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

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

An uncommon resident gracing sheltered estuaries, lakes and rivers throughout the year. Breeds on a few Cornish waterways.

Year-round

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

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish estuaries and pools from October to March. Elegant and long-necked, it favours shallow muddy waters.

Oct–Mar

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

A scarce resident, most visible on freshwater pools and flooded fields from autumn to spring. Numbers drop in midsummer.

Aug–May

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

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally turning up on estuaries and wet fields in October and November, far south of its usual wintering range.

Oct–Nov

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