Specie's Page                                               Water Fowl - Gadwall Ducks

Gadwall Duck:

UK Status: Resident,

Habitat: This bird is a dabbling duck, and not a diver. As such it prefers shallower water, where it can upend to feed on the bottom under water. It can be found in inland lakes, reservoirs, gravel pits, wetlands, rivers and occasionally canals. Around the coast it can be seen on salt marshes, river estuaries and near the coast on the sea. It can be quite shy, and prefers plenty of vegetation in, and around the pools inhabits.

Breeding: Nests are made on the ground in well concealed vegetated spots, sometimes they will nest in ground level nest boxes. Their nests are made of dried grass, straw or rushes, thinly lined with downy breast feathers. They lay eight to twelve, whitish to pale pink eggs in a clutch. there is usually one brood a year, in favourable years there may be two.

Comment: Not very common the summer, in England however well distributed. In Wales it is found in the north, and the south west tip. From the north of England, through to the far northern isles of Scotland, it is found mainly on, or near the east coast. The number of these ducks is boosted greatly by overwintering migrants.

BE AWARE PLEASE:  Ground nesting birds are very vulnerable to having their eggs and chicks smashed or crushed. This can happen when people are unaware of their presence, or when dogs are allowed to run loose during the breeding season. Nests are very well hidden, and are not usually spotted until it's to late. Dogs often have no concern for ground nesting birds, please keep them on their leads from April through to the end of September.