Tufted ducks are not difficult to see at Cragside, they are quite common on the lakes. They are diving ducks, so will disappear underwater for a good few seconds before reappearing elsewhere on the lake.

The male is black and white, the female is a similar pattern but two-tone brown. When the sun catches the male's head, it can show as a beautiful iridescent purple or green. They get their name from the tufty feathers on the back of their necks, which you can see in the second photo.