Ducks, Geese & Swans in South Yorkshire
28 species matching this filter.
South Yorkshire's diverse wetlands, reservoirs and river corridors provide excellent habitat for 28 species of ducks, geese and swans. From the striking Barnacle Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose visiting in winter to resident breeders such as the Common Shelduck and Gadwall, the county offers rewarding wildfowl watching throughout the year. Notable sites including the Dearne Valley wetlands and Rother Valley Country Park attract a wide variety of species, with occasional surprises such as Black Swan and Egyptian Goose adding to the diversity.
Showing 1–23 of 28 species
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare passage visitor, with occasional birds appearing among feral flocks. Origins of sightings can be difficult to determine.
Feb–Jul
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare May visitor, most likely an escapee from captive collections rather than a genuine wild vagrant from Australasia.
May
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and widespread resident of parks, lakes and rivers. Large moulting flocks gather on open water in summer.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident favouring rivers and reservoirs. Most easily seen in winter on the Don and its tributaries.
Aug–May
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare inland passage visitor, occasionally dropping onto larger reservoirs in summer or autumn. An unexpected find away from its usual coastal haunts.
Jul–Oct
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident found on wetlands and flooded fields, often seen at sites like Old Moor RSPB and the Dearne Valley.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but year-round resident, this expanding non-native species occasionally turns up at lowland reservoirs and lakes across the region.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Present year-round but most numerous in winter, grazing flocks gather on flooded grasslands and reservoirs across the region.
Year-round
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Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident duck found on lakes, reservoirs, and marshes year-round. Often overlooked among Mallards but readily identified by its subtle plumage.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare summer breeding visitor arriving in spring. Favours shallow wetlands and marshes at sites like the Dearne Valley.
Mar–Sep
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon but regular winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits from October to April. Males are striking with their glossy green heads and white face patch.
Oct–Apr
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally appearing on larger reservoirs and gravel pits. Usually found singly among flocks of Tufted Duck.
Oct–Jan
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on flooded fields and reservoirs in the coldest months alongside other grazing geese.
Dec–Feb
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found year-round on reservoirs, lakes and farmland. Feral and wild populations thrive across the region's wetlands.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most widespread duck in the region, found on virtually any waterbody from urban park ponds to rural reservoirs.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but year-round resident, favouring wooded rivers and lakes. The striking males are occasionally spotted on sheltered waterways.
Year-round
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare non-breeding visitor of domestic or feral origin, occasionally appearing on park lakes and waterways throughout the year.
Jun–Mar
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar and common sight on canals, rivers, and park lakes throughout the region. Pairs nest along waterways and are present all year.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields, mainly from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A common resident found year-round on shallow lakes and marshes. Numbers peak in winter at key wetland sites across the region.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
An uncommon resident, with skeins sometimes seen overhead in autumn and winter. Frequents arable fields and reservoir margins.
Jul–May
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A common year-round resident on lakes and reservoirs, though nationally declining. Winter flocks gather at larger water bodies.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare passage visitor recorded in May and August, occasionally dropping in at larger lakes and reservoirs.
May–Aug