Ducks, Geese & Swans in Suffolk
32 species matching this filter.
Suffolk's diverse wetland habitats, from the estuaries of the Stour and Orwell to the renowned RSPB reserves at Minsmere and Lackford Lakes, support an impressive 32 species of ducks, geese and swans. The county's coastal marshes, grazing meadows and inland waterways attract a rich variety of wildfowl, including resident breeders such as Common Shelduck and Greylag Goose, alongside winter visitors like Eurasian Wigeon and Goldeneye. Notable species also include established populations of Egyptian Goose and occasional sightings of scarcer visitors such as Bar-headed Goose and Black Swan.
Showing 1–23 of 32 species
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare passage visitor in late spring, likely of captive origin. Occasionally seen on grazing marshes and lakes alongside other wildfowl.
May–Jun
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
An uncommon year-round resident, with feral birds on some Suffolk marshes. Winter numbers may be boosted by wild arrivals from Arctic breeding grounds.
Year-round
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare and non-native species, likely an escapee from wildfowl collections. Occasional December records on Suffolk's lakes and rivers.
Dec
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
Winters on Suffolk's estuaries and coastal marshes, with dark-bellied birds favouring sites like the Deben and Alde. Absent during midsummer.
Aug–May
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and grazing marshes across the county. Breeds readily and forms large moulting flocks in summer.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
Uncommon winter visitor found on Suffolk's rivers and larger water bodies, often seen in small groups diving for fish.
Nov–Apr
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
An uncommon sea duck present year-round offshore, with numbers peaking in winter. Best spotted from coastal vantage points during calm-sea seawatches.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of Suffolk's estuaries and coastal marshes, easily recognised by its bold chestnut, black and white plumage.
Year-round
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Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An established year-round resident, increasingly common around lakes and parkland. Part of East Anglia's growing feral population, breeding in tree holes.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare visitor to Suffolk's offshore waters, most likely seen from autumn into winter. Small numbers occasionally linger along the coast.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common on Suffolk's coastal marshes and estuaries, with large winter flocks grazing at sites like the Alde-Ore estuary.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident found year-round on freshwater lakes and marshes. Suffolk's wetland reserves such as Lackford Lakes hold good numbers.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare summer breeder on Suffolk's wetlands, arriving in spring and departing by September. Minsmere and the Waveney valley are favoured sites.
Mar–Sep
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Suffolk's reservoirs and estuaries, diving for fish and invertebrates from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on coastal waters and estuaries from November to February, often associating with Tufted Duck or Pochard flocks.
Nov–Feb
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Suffolk's coastal grazing marshes, arriving from November and departing by March. Often found alongside other wintering geese.
Nov–Mar
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident breeding on Suffolk's marshes and grazing fields, with feral and wild populations well established.
Year-round
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to Suffolk's coastal waters, occasionally seen off headlands and estuaries from November to January.
Nov–Jan
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Suffolk's most widespread duck, found year-round on virtually any body of water from village ponds to coastal marshes.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but established resident, found on wooded lakes and rivers. Suffolk's small population originates from escaped birds now breeding in the wild.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar year-round presence on Suffolk's rivers, broads, and coastal marshes. Breeds widely and is easily seen at sites like Minsmere and Lackford.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An elegant but uncommon duck present year-round, favouring Suffolk's estuaries and flooded marshes in winter.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A common resident of Suffolk's shallow wetlands, easily identified by its large spatulate bill as it sweeps through water.
Year-round