Ducks, Geese & Swans in West Yorkshire

28 species matching this filter.

All birds in West YorkshireView family page

West Yorkshire's diverse waterways, reservoirs and wetlands support an impressive variety of ducks, geese and swans, with 27 species recorded across the county. From the upland reservoirs of the Pennine fringe to lowland lakes and river valleys, birders can encounter everything from common residents like Greylag Goose and Gadwall to scarcer visitors such as Long-tailed Duck and Goldeneye. Notable species including Barnacle Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose and Egyptian Goose add further interest throughout the year.

Ruddy Duck
Ruddy DuckSmallest · 35cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Ruddy Duck (35cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)17 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 28 species

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare visitor, mainly in winter and early spring. Records may involve feral birds or genuine wild vagrants.

Jan–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

Abundant year-round on lakes, canals, and rivers. Large flocks gather on urban park lakes and reservoirs throughout the region.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

An uncommon year-round resident on clean rivers and reservoirs. Often seen in small groups on the Wharfe and other upland-fed waterways.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Scoter

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare breeder with sporadic records. Occasionally seen on upland reservoirs during spring and late summer passage.

Mar–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Shelduck

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

An uncommon resident, breeding at a few wetland sites. More often seen around larger reservoirs and gravel pits.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

A rare spring visitor, with occasional April–May records. Part of a slowly expanding feral population in England.

Apr–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

An uncommon resident, most numerous in winter when numbers are boosted by migrants on reservoirs and flooded grassland.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Gadwall

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

A common year-round resident on lakes and reservoirs. Has increased significantly in recent decades across the region.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Garganey

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer breeder, arriving in April and departing by September. Favours shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Goldeneye

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

An uncommon but regular winter visitor to reservoirs and larger lakes. Diving birds are a welcome sight from autumn to spring.

Jul–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater Scaup

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally appearing on larger reservoirs between December and March among flocks of Tufted Duck.

Dec–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare passage visitor with occasional February records. Most sightings involve birds briefly stopping at reservoirs.

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

A common year-round resident found on reservoirs, lakes, and park ponds across the region. Feral populations mix with truly wild birds.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on exposed reservoirs in the Pennine fringes during harsh cold spells, typically in January.

Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

The most familiar duck in the region, common on canals, park lakes, rivers and reservoirs throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare but increasing resident of wooded rivers and lakes. Small numbers breed along tree-lined waterways in the region.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Muscovy Duck

Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschataLC

A rare occurrence in October, almost certainly involving escaped or feral birds rather than genuinely wild individuals.

Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A familiar year-round resident on canals, rivers, and park lakes. Pairs nest along the Aire and Calder valleys.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

A rare winter visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields, present from autumn through to early spring. Most often seen among flocks of other dabbling ducks.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

A common resident found year-round on shallow lakes and marshes. Numbers peak in winter at key wetland sites.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

A rare visitor, mainly seen in winter and early spring. Skeins occasionally pass over the Pennine fringe during migration.

Sep–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon year-round resident on deeper reservoirs and lakes, though nationally declining. Males show a rich chestnut head.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-crested Pochard

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufinaLC

A rare visitor with scattered records, most likely involving wandering birds. Occasionally seen on larger reservoirs.

Oct–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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