The Wildlife of
Croome

 
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Ducks, Grebes and Coots - The Goosander

First seen on Monday 4th February 2019 at Croome

The Goosander is a fish eating diving duck, found on rivers, reservoirs or small lakes. The male and female are quite different. The female is grey, with a red-brown head. The male is white with a deep green head. They both have red bills and red legs and feet, so are quite distinctive and easy to identify. Goosander's bills are hooked at the end and they have serrated edges like teeth, which is why these and similar birds are known as sawbills.


 



In all my time visiting Croome, this is the first time I've seen Goosanders. There were three there, one female and two males. It was on a beautiful February afternoon, late in the day and the sun was low, giving beautiful warm tones and reflections. Not only reflections in the water, but you can see the ripples reflected on their feathers.


 

Their head feathers or crests are very expressive, as you can see various formations in these photos, which are probably very meaningful to the birds...