This week marked the first of our drake
surveys and to maintain my professional integrity I’m going to keep away from
any duck-based puns, besides they are not all they're quacked up
to be!
Shoveler are unmistakable thanks to their large spatula bills.
The grazing marsh at Holkham is an important
habitat for nesting wildfowl, especially ducks. The tufty vegetation of shallow
ponds really fits the bill for nesting Mallards, Teal and Gadwall.
Shoveler have been seen working together in groups while
feeding on the reserve.They rotate, stirring up the water and
skimming the surface for crustaceans and plankton.
As we set off across the fields from Lady
Anne’s Drive the foul weather set in but rather
than wader till it passed we decided
to wing it. We were initially worried after only finding
a poultry number of breeding pairs. Things quickly picked up however
and in total we counted 209 Mallard, 132 Teal, 76 Shoveler, 61 Gadwall, 32
Tufted duck, 28 Wigeon, 27 Pochard and a lonely Gargany on Holkham NNR.
While Ei-der preferred to have seen some Pintails the survey
went swimmingly! I’m sure you’re all a-grebe, that’s
quite the duck count! Things are looking good for the duck population this
year.
Right I’m done. I'm going
to swan out of here!
Jonathan
Holkham Warden
Jonathan
Holkham Warden