Henfield Birdwatch

A community website for Henfield’s Birdwatchers

Winter Wildfowl

During the winter when the Henfield Levels are in flood, many ducks and geese take advantage of the opportunity of a new habitat suddenly available to them. Many of the ducks migrate down from the north of England and Northern Europe to spend the winter months with us. Here are some of the species to look out for as you view across the flooded fields. The photographs show males as females of most of the duck species all look very similar!

Winter Wildfowl

Common Shelduck

Shelduck are striking almost goose-like birds that are uncommon but fairly regular on The Levels during the winter. From a...

Tufted Duck

When the levels of water are really high it sometimes becomes deep enough to attract diving ducks such as Tufted...

Garganey

Very occasionally in spring and autumn, the only summer migratory duck to the UK, Garganey, drops in on The Levels...

Gadwall

One of the smaller duck species, Gadwall have a much more discreet plumage though if seen close up it is...

Mallard

Our most familiar duck, Mallards can be found on any bodies of water around the parish and numbers do increase...

Northern Pintail

Less numerous in winter than some of the other species, Pintail are another very striking species that has a slim...

Northern Shoveler

A prominently white duck about the size of a Mallard and like the Mallard it has a bottle-green head that...

Pochard

Another diving duck occasionally seen when water levels are high is Pochard, a smallish round grey bodied duck with a...

Canada Goose

A very common and increasing species on The Levels is the Canada Goose, a large goose with a long neck...

Greylag Goose

The other very common goose we see around is the Greylag Goose, a large plain brown greyish bird with bright...

Mute Swan

A common sight on many water bodies around the parish all year are Mute Swans that do breed in suitable...

Bewick’s Swans

Sadly, these beautiful swans that once were very regular visitors in winter but not any longer. However, there is a...