Ducks, Geese & Swans in Devon
27 species matching this filter.
Devon's diverse wetland habitats, from the Exe Estuary to sheltered coastal bays and inland reservoirs, support an impressive 27 species of ducks, geese and swans. The county is a vital wintering ground for species such as Brent Goose and Eurasian Wigeon, while resident birds like Common Shelduck and Canada Goose can be seen year-round. Birders may also encounter less common visitors including Barnacle Goose, Goldeneye and the striking Black Swan.
Showing 1–23 of 27 species
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare passage visitor, with small numbers occasionally appearing on Devon's estuaries and coastal fields in autumn and late winter.
Oct–Mar
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
An escaped or feral bird, occasionally seen on Devon's lakes and estuaries from summer into autumn. Native to Australia.
Jun–Nov
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Devon's estuaries, especially the Exe. Dark-bellied birds predominate from autumn through to spring.
Sep–Apr
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident found year-round on Devon's lakes, rivers and parkland. Flocks gather on larger water bodies outside the breeding season.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
Scarce year-round resident on Devon's rivers, favouring fast-flowing stretches on Dartmoor and the Exe catchment for breeding.
Year-round
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Scarce sea duck seen off Devon's coast most of the year, often in small rafts on open water. Numbers peak during autumn passage.
Jul–May
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A common resident breeding on Devon's estuaries and coasts. Large moulting flocks gather on the Exe Estuary in late summer.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but increasing feral resident, occasionally seen on Devon's lakes and parkland. Part of a spreading UK population.
Nov–Aug
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Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare resident along Devon's coast, mainly seen in winter. Small numbers linger off rocky shores and estuarine waters.
Oct–May
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon resident, with numbers boosted in winter on Devon's estuaries and flooded fields. Whistling flocks favour the Exe.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A rare year-round resident on Devon's freshwater lakes and marshes. Often overlooked among flocks of other dabbling ducks.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally seen on Devon's freshwater marshes in spring and again in late summer.
Mar–Sep
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
Rare winter visitor to Devon's reservoirs and estuaries from November to March. The striking black-and-white males are easiest to spot.
Nov–Mar
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor to Devon's estuaries and sheltered coastal waters, most likely between November and March.
Nov–Mar
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on Devon's estuaries and coastal grazing marshes in midwinter cold snaps.
Dec–Jan
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A rare year-round resident found on Devon's estuaries, lakes and farmland. Both feral and genuinely wild birds occur.
Year-round
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to Devon's coast, occasionally seen in sheltered bays and estuaries during January and February.
Jan–Feb
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common year-round resident found on virtually any freshwater across Devon, from farm ponds to estuaries and town parks.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but striking resident found on wooded rivers and lakes. Males are unmistakable with their ornate plumage.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar year-round resident gracing Devon's rivers, estuaries and town lakes. Pairs nest along waterways across the county.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Devon's estuaries and coastal marshes. Elegant and long-tailed, favouring the Exe and Taw.
Sep–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found on Devon's wetlands and estuaries. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.
Jul–May
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A rare non-breeding visitor to Devon's lakes and reservoirs. This nationally declining species is most likely in winter months.
Aug–Apr