Eider in Morecambe Bay? (1 Viewer)

[Dr.Boletus]

I was very intrigued to hear reports that common eider breeds and lives at Walney Island, particularly South Walney. I always wanted to see this duck, as I consider it the UK's prettiest native duck.
Has anyone been here during the summer period? How easy would the eider be to see?
One hesitation I have is the cost of getting there for me is too high for my budget (Avanti, cough). So, does eider turn up in more 'accessible' places during the winter, maybe North Wales or at least around Lancaster, or maybe the Wash? Is there a chance of king eider at these locations?

 

[Mono]

Hundreds of Eider bred around Walney and the other side of Barrow. A trip to Foulney Island would yield great views of hundreds of Eider plus 3 species of tern.

Foulney Island | Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Arctic and little tern breed on this island nature reserve during the summer whilst in autumn and winter it is a great site to see waders.

www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

 

[Butty]

I think you should invest in some 'Where to watch birds'-type books - both regional and national. They would provide you with lots of very basic and fundamental birding info for the UK.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

So, does eider turn up in more 'accessible' places during the winter, maybe North Wales or at least around Lancaster, or maybe the Wash? Is there a chance of king eider at these locations?

Yes they don't just turn up around Lancaster they nest on the Lune estuary, Wyre Estuary and Ribble Estuary in Lancashire having overspilled from Walney. I'm not sure if there are other sites south of the Ribble in terms of nesting but they occur in winter at places including Hilbre in Cheshire.

 

[jogresh]

Yes they're present in North Wales and breed, particularly on Puffin Island. They can be seen from adjacent coasts between Aberogwen and Llanfairfechan.

 

[dandsblair]

Last week from the caravan park near Cockersand Abbey (not far from Lancaster) on the Wyre there were good numbers of Eider close to the shore at high tide.
I think it is just off the bus route to Glasson Dock if you don't have transport.