Wigeon (Anas penelope)

Another common duck on the shores of Dorset in winter is the Wigeon.

Breeding in the far north a good number come this far south, arriving from October onwards before heading back north again in March and April.

Wigeon are lovely little ducks, multicoloured with a yellow forehead on a maroon head but, from a distance, it is the white in the wing and tail that show up.

The males make a gentle whistling noise which is nothing like a traditional duck 'quack'. Quite often you will hear them before you see them.

Always in large flocks, more often on fresh water than saline and frequently seen grazing on land you will find Wigeon on the Fleet, in Poole Harbour and Christchurch Harbour as well as other places like Radipole and Lodmore.

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