The Wildlife of
Druridge Pools

 
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Ducks, Grebes and Coots - The Shelduck

First seen on Friday 27th November 2020 at Druridge Pools

The Shelduck is not a common bird at Druridge. It is quite a large bird, with a wingspan of over a metre and is easily identified by its distinctive black, white and tan colours, plus a large bright red bill. On a sunny day (as in the second photo) their black heads have a metallic green sheen. The two below were flying around the area and eventually settled on the Budge Fields. Male and female are very similar, but like Mute Swans their bills differ in that the male has a 'basal knob' at the top (see the one on the left of the photo). The one in the second photo was roosting on the North Pool.


 


 

Having said the Shelduck wasn't common at Druridge, the spring of 2021 seemed a very good year for them and there were lots on the pools and flying around the dunes. The one below was on the beach...