These handsome diving ducks are a member of the sawbill family, so called because of their long, serrated bills, used for catching fish. A largely freshwater bird, the goosander first bred in the UK in 1871. It built up numbers in Scotland and then since 1970 it has spread across northern England into Wales, reaching south-west England. Its love of salmon and trout has brought it into conflict with fishermen. It is gregarious, forming into flocks of several thousand in some parts of Europe.
Overview
Latin name
Mergus merganser
Family
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Where to see them
Upland rivers of N England, Scotland and Wales in summer. In winter they move to lakes, gravel pits and reservoirs, occasionally to sheltered estuaries.
When to see them
All year in breeding range, but only in winter across England south of the Humber.
What they eat
Fish
The starlings are taking their toll on the park as you can see the tree is white with their droppings and they are ruining lots of plants not to mention the smell but there is little we can do about it with so many nesting
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