It’s easy to be impressed by the King Eider, Somateria spectabilis. These are tough birds which breed on the tundra. Although they have been bred in captivity for many decades,
Jumping. Not an activity always associated with waterfowl, but some are adept at hopping up steps and branches. Jumping from a height though is seen in many species which nest
I is for Ixworth. The home of Reginald Appleyard, who developed the Silver Appleyard duck. Well known as a showman and broadcaster in his day, he said: ‘I like to
H is for Humidity During incubation, a waterfowl egg should lose about 15% of its weight. In natural incubation, this is affected by nest selection and structure, egg surface, attentiveness
G is for Gravid and for Goose. How can you tell when geese are about to lay? Although body shape of the goose sometimes makes it plain she has an
If you are captivated by whistling ducks, which species should you choose for a new collection? Something readily available, calm and easy on the eye should fit the bill.
Eating. The appetite of our birds is one of the indications of their health. They naturally increase their intake when the weather is cold, but do you routinely monitor how
Planning a new pond? When it comes to water, quantity is important but quality is vital. Dabbling ducks spend most of their time on the surface, but many others naturally wish
Cavity nesters are not too interested in your fancy woodwork, but the size of the entrance hole is really important to them. Waterfowl seem to prefer an entrance that is
With our birds probably in flockdown, their drinking and bathing water might not be in the ideal pool. Movement can keep water open, but smaller volumes than usual may be
A little nugget to consider for the weekend, we hope you’ll tune in every Friday for regular tips: If you have a moment, get spare boots to keep exclusively for
Though familiar, we mostly tend to see wild Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) in winter. Populations from the breeding grounds in the steppes seek refuge in our slightly less harsh climate.
The BWA offers members a wide range of services and facilities to help you get more enjoyment from waterfowl.
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