#shelducks

[antiqueanimals]

John Cyril Harrison (1898-1985). Shell Ducks Taking Flight Seaward. Pencil, watercolour and bodycolour.

Christie's

[thylacineus]

Yummy yummy slop

[snototter]

A male common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) in the United Kingdom

by Nick Dean

[spinus-pinus]

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

5/21/2023 Irvine Regional Park, California

[bird-of-the-day]

BOTD: Paradise Shelduck

^Image credit: Dick Daniels

Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata)

Endemic to New Zealand, Paradise Shelducks are the most widely distributed waterfowl there. They typically mate for life and usually live as pairs. They first breed in their second or third years of life, forming strong bonds with their mate and defending their territory.

[dansnaturepictures]

25/02/2023-Redbridge Wharf and Lower Test 

Flora, fauna and fungi pictures I took today in this photoset are of; one of a few Mute Swans seen closely at Redbridge Wharf, lesser celandine at Lower Test it was a pleasure to see these golden forest early spring flowers one of the first to come out in the wooded bit of the Lower Test walk, fungi at Lower Test, some beautiful and intricate turkey tail fungus one I like seeing, snowdrops at Lower Test these carpeted the forest floor brilliantly I’ve had a good year so far for seeing scenes of snowdrops beautifully covering places which is a sight to behold, a Great Spotted Woodpecker it was pleasing to see at Lower Test, two of one of two gorgeous Peregrines I was thrilled to see this one sat on a pylon and another one flew before this one did always a wonderful bird to enjoy seeing, daisy and beautiful ruby red scarlet elf cup I’ve had a good week for seeing them too and moss. 

The visit to Redbridge Wharf the first time for us was to look for the Iceland Gull that has been there and we did see this angelic bright white gull, another amazing bird to see this year and lately only our third ever sighting of the species to take my year list to 147. Common Gull with the Herring and Black-headed Gulls, Woodpigeon seen well and Wigeon were also nice to see here. Other standout sightings at Lower Test were Cetti’s Warbler, a decent few Wrens seen intimately and calling their typewriter call, Shelducks, lovely Little Egrets and pretty Roe Deers. Periwinkle and golden daffodils near to each other also adorned the woodland part of the walk. We walked all around Lower Test and it was my first time at the hide and screens side for years. This bit is where we first visited here when it was the second nature reserve we visited in my childhood early birdwatching days I believe and we don’t come to this bit too often now so it was great to be here. It brings nature into an urban area well with the reedbeds mixed nicely with hallmarks of an urban area like Starlings and their gushing calls and and a nice camellia tree flowering in a garden. 

[blogbirdfeather]

Shelduck - Tadorna (Tadorna tadorna): male

Vila Franca de Xira/Portugal (26/05/2022)

[Nikon D500; AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5,6E PF ED VR; 1/2000s; F8; 400 ISO]

[crackersforquackers]

A Shelduck peering through the reeds at Oare Marshes, Kent.

Oare Marshes is a Kent Wildlife Reserve that’s home to a wide variety of diverse and exciting birds, including breeding pairs of Pied Avocets,  Common Redshank, Common snipe,  and Garganey. It is also an important site for migratory and over-wintering birds. There are a couple of hides where you can sit and watch the birds.