Ducks, Geese & Swans in Essex
34 species matching this filter.
Essex is one of the premier counties in England for observing ducks, geese and swans, with 34 species recorded across its diverse wetland habitats. The county's extensive coastline, estuaries such as the Thames, Blackwater and Colne, and inland reservoirs like Abberton and Hanningfield provide vital wintering and breeding grounds for species ranging from large flocks of Brent Geese to the striking Mandarin Duck. Notable residents and visitors include the Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, and the increasingly established Black Swan.
Showing 1–23 of 34 species
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Present year-round but rare, with a small feral population. Can appear on coastal marshes and reservoirs across the county.
Year-round
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare feral resident from Australasian stock, occasionally seen on lakes and park ponds across Essex.
Dec–Aug
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
An iconic winter visitor to Essex estuaries, with large flocks of dark-bellied birds grazing on eelgrass along the coast.
Sep–Jul
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and widespread resident of parks, lakes, and gravel pits throughout Essex all year.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Essex reservoirs and rivers, typically arriving in October and lingering into early spring.
Oct–Apr
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Rare non-breeding visitor, sometimes seen in small groups offshore along the Essex coast from autumn through to early spring.
Aug–Mar
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A common and striking resident of Essex estuaries and coastal marshes, breeding on grazing marshes in spring.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, found year-round on parkland lakes, gravel pits, and river margins.
Year-round
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Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare non-breeding visitor to the Essex coast, occasionally spotted offshore or in estuaries during autumn and winter months.
Oct–Feb
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common across Essex estuaries and grazing marshes year-round, with large winter flocks gathering on the Blackwater and Thames estuaries.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident found year-round on reservoirs, gravel pits, and marshes. Abberton Reservoir holds significant numbers.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare summer breeder, arriving in spring at freshwater marshes. Essex wetlands like Abberton Reservoir are key sites in the county.
Mar–Sep
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon resident found on reservoirs and gravel pits, most conspicuous in winter when numbers are boosted by continental arrivals.
Aug–Jun
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Essex reservoirs and coastal waters from October to April, often mixing with Tufted Duck flocks.
Oct–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor to Essex marshes and coastal grazing land, occasionally joining flocks of other geese at sites like Old Hall Marshes.
Nov–Feb
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
Common year-round on Essex lakes, marshes, and farmland, with both feral and wild populations present.
Year-round
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to coastal Essex waters and occasionally reservoirs, present from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most familiar duck in Essex, common year-round on virtually any body of water including park ponds.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but established resident found on wooded lakes and rivers, with a small feral population present year-round in Essex.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common and familiar resident on Essex rivers, lakes, and reservoirs throughout the year. Breeds widely across the county.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to Essex estuaries and marshes, arriving in autumn and departing by spring.
Aug–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A common year-round resident, often seen sweeping its distinctive spatulate bill through shallow waters at Abberton Reservoir and coastal marshes.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare passage visitor in January and February, occasionally seen among other goose flocks on coastal marshes.
Jan–Feb