gadwall
Anas strepera

Rather non-descript grey and brown duck, often overlooked

Habitat: freshwater marshes, estuaries, gravel pits and reservoirs

Common and widespread resident

Male: grey body and head with black rear end; female mottled brown with orange on bill; show white in wing in flight

Dabbles in reeds to feed or up-ends; swims and flies

Eats aquatic vegetation; flies very quickly and direct

Nest is a lined hollow by water

1 Brood May – June ; 8-12 eggs creamy