Ducks, Geese & Swans in Isle of Wight

24 species matching this filter.

All birds in Isle of WightView family page

The Isle of Wight's diverse wetland habitats, sheltered estuaries, and coastal mudflats provide vital feeding and wintering grounds for a remarkable variety of ducks, geese, and swans. With 24 species recorded, birdwatchers can enjoy sightings ranging from wintering Brent Geese and Eurasian Wigeon on the Newtown Estuary to resident populations of Common Shelduck and Canada Goose. Notable visitors such as the Barnacle Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, and the striking Black Swan add further interest throughout the year.

Garganey
GarganeySmallest · 37cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Garganey (37cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)14 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 24 species

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, likely originating from feral populations. Occasionally seen grazing coastal fields and marshes alongside other geese.

Oct–Aug

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

Black Swan

Cygnus atratusLC

A rare passage record, likely an escapee from a captive collection. This Australian native is not established in the wild here.

Dec

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

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

Common on sheltered harbours and estuaries, especially around Newtown and the north coast. Dark-bellied birds winter in good numbers.

Sep–Jun

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

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

Common and widespread year-round on lakes, rivers and marshes. Large flocks gather on grassland and at sites like Newtown.

Year-round

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare sea duck, occasionally seen in small groups offshore during winter and spring, especially in the eastern Solent.

Dec–May

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

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

An uncommon year-round resident breeding on estuaries and mudflats. Newtown Harbour and the Eastern Yar are favoured sites.

Year-round

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

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

An uncommon but increasing non-native resident, found around freshwater lakes and parkland. Absent during late summer moult period.

Oct–Jul

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

Eider

Somateria mollissimaNT

A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted offshore or in sheltered bays during the early months of the year.

Jan–Mar

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

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Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Common on the island's estuaries and flooded grasslands from autumn through spring, with large flocks gathering on the Newtown and Medina estuaries.

Sep–May

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

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

An uncommon resident found on freshwater lakes and marshes year-round. Brading Marshes and similar wetlands offer the best chances.

Year-round

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally seen on freshwater pools and marshes between March and May.

Mar–May

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

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in February and December on sheltered freshwater or coastal waters.

Dec–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 non-breeding visitor in midwinter, occasionally joining flocks of other geese on coastal grazing marshes and fields.

Dec–Mar

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

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

An uncommon resident found on freshwater marshes and grazing fields. Feral populations breed locally, with numbers boosted in autumn.

Sep–Jul

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

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

Common and widespread year-round on virtually any waterbody, from village ponds to coastal marshes and estuaries across the island.

Year-round

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare non-breeding visitor in late autumn and winter. This colourful duck occasionally wanders to the island from mainland populations.

Nov–Jan

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

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A familiar sight year-round on the island's rivers, ponds and estuaries. Breeds on freshwater sites and often seen on the Eastern Yar.

Year-round

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

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to the island's estuaries and harbours, with elegant long-necked silhouettes on sheltered mudflats from autumn through early spring.

Sep–Mar

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

An uncommon resident of shallow freshwater wetlands, using its distinctive broad bill to filter-feed. Numbers peak in winter.

Aug–Jun

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

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

A rare resident found on freshwater lakes and reservoirs, most likely at sites like Brading Marshes. Numbers have declined significantly across the UK.

Oct–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to sheltered coastal waters from autumn to spring. Often seen diving in harbours and estuaries.

Oct–Apr

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

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescensLC

A rare winter visitor, with sightings most likely involving escapees from captive collections rather than genuine wild vagrants.

Oct–Jan

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

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

An uncommon resident on freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Breeds locally and can be found diving for invertebrates year-round.

Year-round

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