The Wildlife of
Druridge Pools

 
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Ducks, Grebes and Coots - The Goldeneye

First seen on Monday 2nd November 2020 at Druridge Pools

The Goldeneye is a diving duck, with as its name suggests, a golden eye. Male and female are very different. The female, shown below has a grey body with a chocolate coloured head. She also has a distinctive dark bill with orange tip. Males are black with striking white patches on its side plus a white cheek spot. The black often catches the light giving him a green sheen. Goldeneyes spend quite a long time diving underwater, so can be a bit elusive. They also prefer deeper areas of the pond.


 


 

When the males display to the females, they throw their head right back - as shown in this photo...