Back to photostream

D20A6688 Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) Greater Manchester

Common Goldeneye

 

1203.01.02.2023

 

These birds are very nervous of people walking along the river bank and often take to the air. There used to be many wintering on my local river. The local fields have been made into a floodplain and a nature reserve. The river banks and floodplain have been made more accessible for dog walkers, bike riders, joggers and users of wacky baccy (canabis) and the public in general. Unfortunately this is not a good thing for the local wintering ducks. My biggest count when I did my surveys was circa 173 goldeneye....at the moment there are about 12 birds on the river and floodplain. I dare say that climate warming has had an impact on numbers too. We also used to get green sandpipers but they have gone also. I dare say some conservationist has given themselves a badge for the good work they think they have done when in reality the opposite may be true. The goldeneye in this image was put into the air by a jogger.

 

14,987 views
412 faves
80 comments
Uploaded on February 1, 2023
Taken on January 26, 2023