Ducks - Loch Fleet (1 Viewer)

[GeorgeMac]

A few of these birds on Loch Fleet just now. Thought they were eider ducks, then thought they were mallard, but after looking at the photos I'm really not sure what they are. No males around, just females with ducklings.

 

[lou salomon]

eiders.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Agree with Eider, very distinctive head shape.

 

[Redmist]

Great pictures of the Eiders

 

[GeorgeMac]

The eiders have fairly established themselves around here. There were none 40 years ago now they're everywhere. Good to see them doing so well

 

[Farnboro John]

I ticked King Eider in an Eider flock at Loch Fleet in January 1986 and it was a returning bird then (35 years ago), were there really none forty years ago?

John

 

[GeorgeMac]

There were none on Brora beach, had no idea they were in Loch Fleet back then. They are established right along the coast to Helmsdale now, and they are nesting on shingle and coastal grass right along the coast. They are doing very well. There were no herons around here back then either, aside from the occassional ringed visitor, and they are everywhere too. Lots of birds coming back in big numbers, like lapwings and skylarks, birds that all but disappeared from Brora back in the late 70s and 80s.

I've never seen a King Eider. That must have been a good day out.

 

[dave598]

Great shot and thank you for sharing this with us