Ducks, Geese & Swans in Norfolk
33 species matching this filter.
Norfolk is one of Britain's premier destinations for observing ducks, geese and swans, with 33 species recorded across the county's expansive wetlands, coastal marshes and inland waterways. The North Norfolk coast and the Broads provide vital wintering grounds for species such as Brent Goose, Eurasian Wigeon and Greater White-fronted Goose, while residents like Common Shelduck and Canada Goose can be seen year-round. From the elegant Northern Pintail to the striking Mandarin Duck, Norfolk's diverse habitats support a remarkable variety of wildfowl throughout the seasons.
Showing 1–23 of 33 species
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident of uncertain provenance — some are feral birds, while genuine wild Arctic migrants may appear in winter.
Year-round
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
Winters in large flocks on the north Norfolk coast, grazing on saltmarshes and eelgrass beds. Most numerous from October to March.
Aug–Jun
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and grazing marshes across the county. Breeds readily on Norfolk's waterways.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's rivers and broads, most likely between November and March. Favours larger freshwater bodies.
Nov–Mar
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Present year-round off the Norfolk coast, with large rafts gathering offshore. Most conspicuous during autumn and winter passage.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
Common year-round on estuaries and coastal mudflats. Breeds on dunes and marshes, with large moulting flocks in summer.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
Norfolk is a stronghold for this established resident. Commonly seen on parkland, lakes, and grazing marshes throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare resident along the north Norfolk coast, often seen bobbing on the sea off Titchwell or Holkham. Numbers remain small year-round.
Year-round
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Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common on coastal marshes and grazing meadows, with large winter flocks at sites like Cley and Holkham. Present all year.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident of Norfolk's broads, marshes, and gravel pits. Breeds widely and numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare summer breeder on freshwater marshes from March to September. Norfolk's wetlands are among its few regular UK breeding sites.
Mar–Sep
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Norfolk's broads and gravel pits from October to April. Often seen diving on open freshwater lakes.
Oct–Apr
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's coastal waters and broads, most likely seen among flocks of Tufted Duck from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor to coastal grazing marshes and flood meadows from October to March. The Yare Valley is a key site.
Oct–Mar
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found year-round on marshes, broads, and farmland. Norfolk hosts both feral and genuinely wild wintering birds.
Year-round
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare non-breeding visitor to offshore waters from October to March. Occasionally seen from coastal watchpoints along the north coast.
Oct–Mar
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Abundant and widespread on virtually any freshwater habitat, from the Broads to village ponds. Present all year.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare breeding visitor to wooded lakes and rivers from February to June. A naturalised species, scarce but increasing in Norfolk.
Feb–Jun
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar sight on the Broads, rivers, and coastal marshes year-round. Breeds widely across Norfolk's waterways.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An elegant dabbling duck found on coastal marshes and flooded fields. Numbers peak in winter at sites like Cley and Holkham.
Aug–May
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Common year-round on shallow marshes and flooded fields. Numbers peak in winter when continental birds boost the resident population.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
Huge wintering flocks gather on north Norfolk's marshes and sugar beet fields. Numbers peak from October to March at sites like Holkham.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and broads. Numbers have declined nationally, making Norfolk sites increasingly important.
Year-round