Ducks, Geese & Swans in Northamptonshire
27 species matching this filter.
Northamptonshire's network of reservoirs, gravel pits and river valleys provides excellent habitat for 27 species of ducks, geese and swans. The county's inland waterways attract a wonderful variety of wildfowl, from resident Greylag Geese and Gadwall to winter visitors such as Eurasian Wigeon, Goldeneye and Greater White-fronted Goose. Notable species also include the striking Mandarin Duck and the increasingly established Egyptian Goose, alongside less common visitors like Barnacle Goose and Common Merganser.
Showing 1–23 of 27 species
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, likely of feral origin, occasionally seen on gravel pits and reservoir grasslands from spring through autumn.
Mar–Sep
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
An abundant resident found year-round on lakes, gravel pits and rivers throughout the county, breeding readily at most wetland sites.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident mainly seen in winter on rivers and reservoirs, with small numbers lingering into spring.
Nov–May
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally dropping in at reservoirs during February and September, far from its usual coastal haunts.
Sep–Feb
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A scarce resident breeding in small numbers at reservoirs and gravel pits, with occasional gaps in late summer and autumn records.
Sep–Jul
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A scarce but increasing resident, found year-round on parkland lakes and gravel pits, with a small breeding population establishing in the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common on reservoirs and flooded grasslands, with peak numbers in winter; a small number linger through summer at key wetland sites.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident on the county's reservoirs and gravel pits year-round. Often overlooked among Mallards but steadily increasing.
Year-round
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Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare breeding duck, arriving in spring and favouring shallow wetlands. One of the county's scarcest nesting wildfowl.
Mar–Sep
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, present from October to April with peak numbers in midwinter.
Oct–Apr
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to larger reservoirs, occasionally joining Tufted Duck flocks from December through to spring.
Dec–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor to the county's reservoirs and flood meadows, occasionally joining flocks of other grazing geese from December to March.
Dec–Mar
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found year-round on reservoirs, gravel pits and farmland. Feral populations thrive at sites like Pitsford and Hollowell.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most widespread duck in the county, breeding on virtually any waterbody from village ponds to the Nene valley gravel pits.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A scarce but resident breeder, favouring wooded lakes and rivers with overhanging trees, notably along the Nene valley.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common resident on rivers, lakes, and canals throughout the county, breeding readily on the Nene and at reservoirs.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields from autumn through spring, with numbers peaking in winter.
Sep–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Present year-round at the county's reservoirs and gravel pits, with numbers boosted in winter by continental migrants.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in January and February at reservoirs or gravel pits, well south of its main wintering range.
Jan–Feb
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs. Nationally declining, making Northamptonshire sites increasingly important.
Year-round
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on larger waterbodies in February, far from its usual coastal haunts.
Feb
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, most often recorded in winter months and occasionally in late summer.
Aug–Apr
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Once bred locally but now very rare following national eradication efforts; occasional lingering birds are still recorded at gravel pits.
Sep–May