Wigeon

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 A fairly common dabbling duck around here is the wigeon. I often see them near Sunbiggin Tarn close to us.

Widgeon have a very distinctive whistling call which is unmistakeable. This clip from a RSPB site shows what I mean.  Wigeon Call



Both of the above birds are males which would be hard to work out if you didn't know about "eclipse plumage". At the end of the breeding season most ducks moult and loses their flight feathers. This leads to a time when they are vulnerable and unable to fly and the birds often have a rather scruffy appearance. The colouration can be similar to that of the females at the stage. Males in breeding plumage have a grey body and a yellow forehead - but you can identify wigeon from the whistling call alone. This image stolen from my bird book might help.
Ducks can be tricky! By the time you have taken into account eclipse plumage, different plumage at eclipse and the difference between males and females you can get confused. I'm afraid that sometimes I can only be certain of female species when they are in a group with their corresponding males.

Diary
Overcast 10C. Male kestrel o the power lines over the field.







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