Goosanders (1 Viewer)

T

The Cyclist

Member

• Sep 2, 2017

• #1

Am I correct in thinking the males migrate after breeding and head north leaving the females and young here (or are they a bit like mallards and look like females during the moult) If they do head north when do they start to return ?

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Sep 2, 2017

• #2

Yep, most of the adult males go north to arctic Norway to moult; not sure offhand when they return, Oct or Nov at a guess. But yes, they do go into a female-like eclipse plumage while up there; any odd ones remaining can be distinguished from females by their retaining a large white wing patch.

 

T

The Cyclist

Member

• Sep 2, 2017

• #3

I take it the vast majority go north, 99% ?
I was watching 20+ this evening at Berwick upon Tweed (don't think any were megansers all seemed to have the hooky beak) they all looked like females
When would the young males start to look like males ?

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Sep 2, 2017

• #4

Not sure what % go north, I'd guess all that are fit enough to migrate do so

I'd think your 20+ would be a 'creche' of 3 or 4 adult females and their juveniles; look for the slightly 'stripy' faces of the juvs (whitish line on the lores). Juv males start to get adult plumage from a year old, but not full adult until 18 months to 2 years old.

 

T

The Cyclist

Member

• Sep 2, 2017

• #5

thankyou for your help with this, its much appreciated