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26-01-2008, 04:10 PM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 208
| |  Goosander
 Hi All
Saw some goosander at a local pool today. I haven't seen any before in my area - are they common elsewhere?
Tried to get some photos but too far away for good ones - a big lake. Went halfway round the lake to try and get better shots but they moved away again  - seem to swim a long way underwater! Looked at what I'd taken - recognisable but hardly worth posting.
Tich |
26-01-2008, 04:56 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: march, cambridgeshire
Posts: 2,176
| | | Re: Goosander
Hiya Tich,a warm welcome to the site,hope you enjoy your stay. |
26-01-2008, 05:08 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,957
| | | Re: Goosander
Always a glorious sight to see a Goosander- even the females are handsome birds. The're not uncommon in England during the winter on inland lakes/gravel pits/reservoirs, though rarely in big numbers.
As a breeding bird they breed in parts of Scotland, Wales, Peak District + south-west. Unfortunately some are legally killed by the fishing fraternity as they are a perceived threat to fish stocks, even though the culling doesn't have much impact + no real evidence that they have a negative impact on fish stocks.
There's a few regular sites around London where they can be seen at this time of year, though numbers seem lower this winter, perhaps due to the mild conditions; also fewer Smew! |
26-01-2008, 07:30 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1,458
| | | Re: Goosander
They are fairly common on my local stillwaters in winter. However, about fifteen years ago, they were unusual occurences hereabouts indeed.
Regards, Chris |
26-01-2008, 08:01 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,112
| | | Re: Goosander
Hi and welcome to WAB.
I think we have some on our local river, though I'm not certain. They have been diving underwater in search of food. I have seen several dark grey with brown, almost black heads and what appears to be a crest. The other day I saw one swimming with another that was totally different, with a white and black body. I have been unable to photograph them yet as they are very, very timid and take off as soon as they sense me. |
26-01-2008, 08:56 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Laindon, Basildon, Essex.
Posts: 2,548
| | | Re: Goosander
I usually manage to see Goosander in some of their breeding areas in Scotland and Wales but there are also a few each year which winter at Abberton Reservoir in Essex which is much closer to home.
Richard |
31-01-2008, 07:11 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
| | | Re: Goosander
the black and white could be a tufted duck, or if it has white cheek patches a goldeneye |
31-01-2008, 07:17 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Oxfordshire
Posts: 1,379
| | | Re: Goosander
Goosander are regular winter visitors in Oxon, found at Farmoor res and a few gravel pits. Unfortunately becoming less common over the past few years. Always a good duck to see. Only ever seen them on the Thames when other waters are frozen.
Paul
__________________
Don't blow it - good planets are hard to find. |
31-01-2008, 07:27 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 208
| | | Re: Goosander
I managed to take a reasonable photo, from a distance though, of the goosander pair today: 
Am I right? Are they goosander?
Cheers
Tich
Last edited by tich007mt; 31-01-2008 at 07:55 PM.
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31-01-2008, 07:41 PM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1
| | | Re: Goosander
i live in a town could paisley it has a river running through it always see gulls mallards ,mute swans , and there is usally a grey heron around but last week i saw a goosander in the middle of the river i was blessed i hav`nt seen one since i did work with the peregrines at falls of the clyde i was quite pleased |
05-02-2008, 03:52 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gloucester
Posts: 370
| | | Re: Goosander
Quote:
Originally Posted by tich007mt 
Am I right? Are they goosander?
Cheers
Tich | As no-one seems to have answered this latest question, yes, they are Goosander. |
05-02-2008, 05:05 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grimsby, Lincs
Posts: 1,573
| | | Re: Goosander
We've had a couple on our lake at times through the winter, firstly a male before christmas and now a female that appeared in the last few days They are quite common and according to the BTO are in the increase.
I'm not sure about aeshna5's comment about them being killed by fishermen, i've certainly never heard of it, and they aren't really percieved as a threat to fish stocks unlike cormorant |
05-02-2008, 05:48 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Leigh, Lancashire
Posts: 1,869
| | | Re: Goosander
Yes they are goosander and are lovely looking birds and I always get a thrill out of seeing them even tho we have a decent sized 'flock' wintering at Pennington Flash, Lancs. Their numbers inland in winter has built up over the past 20 years tho mostly they remain a difficult bird to get close to. Occasionally one will be tame - like a female a few years ago on Lake Windermere - she came to hand for bread with mallard and swans!!
Pauline |
05-02-2008, 06:53 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,957
| | | Re: Goosander
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly We've had a couple on our lake at times through the winter, firstly a male before christmas and now a female that appeared in the last few days They are quite common and according to the BTO are in the increase.
I'm not sure about aeshna5's comment about them being killed by fishermen, i've certainly never heard of it, and they aren't really percieved as a threat to fish stocks unlike cormorant | From Birds of England it mentions illegal persecution then since mid-1990's small numbers legally shot with licences issued by MAFF, then DEFRA, in order to prevent serious damage to game fisheries. Mainly in northern England + on River Wye. Also says that culling doesn't seem to have hindered population growth or an effective fishery protection measure. |
05-02-2008, 07:03 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grimsby, Lincs
Posts: 1,573
| | | Re: Goosander
Quote:
Originally Posted by aeshna5 From Birds of England it mentions illegal persecution then since mid-1990's small numbers legally shot with licences issued by MAFF, then DEFRA, in order to prevent serious damage to game fisheries. Mainly in northern England + on River Wye. Also says that culling doesn't seem to have hindered population growth or an effective fishery protection measure. | You learn something everyday, I don't think it's a very widespread thing, like you say probably local areas, maybe ones with young Salmon Parr
I personally love seeing Goosander on my lakes |
05-02-2008, 07:19 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
| | Re: Goosander
hi titch.
i counted 41 goosanders on our local reserve on saturday
i live in cumbria and i think that goosanders are more common in the north, as this is about the same number that we had at the same time last year |
05-02-2008, 07:20 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
| | | Re: Goosander
spot on titch |
05-02-2008, 09:07 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincoln
Posts: 454
| | | Re: Goosander
Some a few hundred yards away in our local park in the city. Not easy to get near though stay in the centre of the lake near an island.
Very common further north, many on the River Tweed.
They are beautiful birds - I've just put a shot in the gallery.
Colin |
17-02-2008, 07:07 PM
|  | Active Member | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kent/SE London
Posts: 65
| | | Re: Goosander
We have seen them on Cote water in Swindon: |
17-02-2008, 07:19 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ryde Isle of Wight
Posts: 69
| | | Re: Goosander
I've only ever seen one once at my local nature reserve, the Hersey at Seaview, Isle of Wight. Wish there were a few more round here, its a great bird to see. |
17-02-2008, 07:22 PM
|  | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nottingham
Posts: 11,916
| | | Re: Goosander
I was lucky to spot a couple of pairs on the River Trent at Attenborough nature reserve earlier this week:  
This was the closest I've ever managed to get. |
17-02-2008, 07:27 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,957
| | | Re: Goosander
Good stuff- one of my favourite wildfowl; so elegant! |
17-02-2008, 08:11 PM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 126
| | | Re: Goosander
I'd never even seen a Goosander before I visited Sandwell Valley last month. I was amazed to see six of them swimming along just in front of me. The regulars down there hardly noticed them because they are seen so often there. I guess they are common at some sites and not at others. |
23-02-2008, 08:13 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,112
| | | Re: Goosander
Quote:
Originally Posted by solus As no-one seems to have answered this latest question, yes, they are Goosander. | That is what has been inhabiting my local river over the Autumn and winter, cheers |
23-02-2008, 08:15 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,112
| | | Re: Goosander
Quote:
Originally Posted by glsammy I was lucky to spot a couple of pairs on the River Trent at Attenborough nature reserve earlier this week:
This was the closest I've ever managed to get. | Second shot is a beauty, nice one. I have only ever seen them when walking along my river but they are very very skittish and take off at the slightest sign. | | |
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