Ducks, Geese & Swans in Leicestershire
28 species matching this filter.
Leicestershire's reservoirs, gravel pits and river valleys provide excellent habitat for 28 species of ducks, geese and swans. From resident Greylag Geese and Gadwall to winter visitors such as Eurasian Wigeon, Goldeneye and the occasional Long-tailed Duck, the county's wetlands offer rewarding wildfowl watching throughout the year. Notable sites include Rutland Water's fringes, Eyebrook Reservoir and the Soar Valley gravel pits, which attract both common breeders and scarcer passage species like Barnacle Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose.
Showing 1–23 of 28 species
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare breeder, likely from feral stock, present at scattered wetland sites from May through September.
May–Sep
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and conspicuous resident on lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and park ponds throughout the county. Breeds readily and gathers in large flocks.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident mainly seen in the colder months on reservoirs and rivers, scarcer during summer.
Oct–May
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare breeder in the county, occasionally seen on reservoirs during spring passage and again in October.
Apr–Oct
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare resident, thinly spread around reservoirs and gravel pits. Largely absent in midsummer during moult migration.
Aug–Jun
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but year-round resident of naturalised origin, found on lakes and parkland waters across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded grassland, arriving from autumn and lingering into spring. Males give a distinctive whistle.
Aug–Apr
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, favouring larger reservoirs and gravel pits with vegetated margins for breeding.
Year-round
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Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally seen on shallow pools and reservoir margins in spring and early autumn.
Mar–Sep
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon resident found on reservoirs and gravel pits, most conspicuous in winter. Males flash striking white plumage in courtship displays.
Aug–Jun
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor to larger water bodies, sometimes associating with Tufted Duck flocks on reservoirs from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on flooded fields or reservoirs in December and January.
Dec–Jan
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common year-round resident found on reservoirs, gravel pits and farmland. Feral populations thrive across Leicestershire's waterways.
Year-round
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare passage visitor, with occasional records on larger reservoirs during late autumn and late winter.
Nov–Feb
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and widespread resident found on virtually any waterbody, from park lakes to farm ponds and rivers.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
An uncommon resident favouring wooded lakes and rivers. Breeding populations are slowly establishing in the county.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar year-round resident gracing the county's rivers, canals and park lakes. Breeds readily across Leicestershire.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare but elegant winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, present from autumn through to early spring in small numbers.
Sep–Mar
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found on shallow, muddy-edged pools and reservoirs. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare winter visitor, with small flocks occasionally seen over the county in January, February, and November, often during cold weather movements.
Nov–Feb
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon resident, declining nationally but still found on larger open waters, with numbers boosted in winter.
Year-round
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted on reservoirs in November. Primarily a coastal species, making inland sightings noteworthy.
Nov
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, mainly in autumn and winter. Origins often uncertain.
Sep–Jan