Ducks, Geese & Swans in Hertfordshire
22 species matching this filter.
Hertfordshire's reservoirs, gravel pits and river valleys provide excellent habitat for 22 species of ducks, geese and swans. The county's key wetland sites, including Tring Reservoirs, the Lee Valley and Hilfield Park Reservoir, attract a wonderful variety of wildfowl throughout the year. Notable species range from resident Greylag and Canada Geese to winter visitors such as Eurasian Wigeon, Goldeneye and Greater White-fronted Goose, while the increasingly established Egyptian Goose adds an exotic touch to the county's birdlife.
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare and irregular resident, with sightings likely involving feral birds. Occasionally appears at gravel pits and reservoir margins.
Aug–Apr
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Abundant on lakes, rivers and parkland throughout Hertfordshire all year. Large flocks gather on the Lea Valley reservoirs and gravel pits.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to rivers and reservoirs during winter months. Known locally as Goosander, occasionally seen on the Lea and Colne valleys.
Nov–Mar
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare visitor to Hertfordshire's larger waterbodies, mainly seen in winter and early spring. Occasionally breeds at reservoir margins.
Nov–Jun
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An established year-round resident, often seen around gravel pits and reservoirs. This naturalised African species has spread steadily across Hertfordshire in recent decades.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, most conspicuous in winter when flocks graze waterside meadows. Listen for the male's whistling call.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common year-round resident found on reservoirs, gravel pits and lakes. Numbers bolstered in winter by Continental arrivals.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A scarce summer visitor and rare breeder, arriving from April. Best looked for at Tring Reservoirs and the Lee Valley gravel pits.
Apr–Sep
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Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to larger reservoirs and gravel pits, arriving from October and departing by April. Males show a bold white face patch.
Oct–May
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare passage visitor with occasional May records. Wild birds are difficult to separate from escapes, making each sighting noteworthy.
May
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits across the county. Feral populations thrive alongside park lakes and farmland.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most familiar duck in the county, common on every pond, river, lake and canal year-round. Readily visits park lakes and gardens.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A scarce but resident breeder, favouring wooded rivers and lakes. Most likely encountered along tree-lined stretches of the Lea or Colne valleys.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common and elegant year-round resident gracing rivers, lakes and canals across the county. Breeds readily on the Lea and Colne.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits from autumn through winter. Small numbers occasionally appear in the Lea Valley.
Sep–Mar
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A common resident on shallow lakes and reservoirs, using its distinctive broad bill to filter-feed. Numbers increase in winter.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A common resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs, though nationally declining. Winter flocks at Tring Reservoirs can be impressive.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, often seen at Tring Reservoirs and the Lee Valley. Likely of feral origin but now well established.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Now extremely rare following a national eradication programme. Occasional sightings at gravel pits between April and October likely involve lingering individuals.
Apr–Oct
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
An uncommon but prized winter visitor from northern Europe, arriving from November. The striking males are a highlight at Tring and Lee Valley reservoirs.
Nov–Mar
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common year-round resident on reservoirs, gravel pits and lakes across the county. Males are striking black and white with a distinctive drooping crest.
Year-round
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare winter visitor occasionally recorded on reservoirs and flooded fields in November and December. Always a notable county sighting.
Nov–Dec