SHELDUCK
Tadora todorno
Length 55cm
Wingspan 100-120cm
Weight 600-1500g
Population 100,000 birds
The shelduck is a large and distinctive duck found close to the coast all around the U.K. White, with a black, bottle green head and neck , a brown band around its breast and red bill. Both sexes look alike except the male has a knob on top of its bill during the summer. Juvenile shelducks look similar to adults except their colouration is duller.
Shelducks are monogamous and will mate for life. They are sociable birds and will live in large flocks leaving their young chicks in crèches with just one of two adults. Shelducks build their nests from grass and moss and lined with down in caves, tree holes or abandoned rabbit burrows. The female shelduck generally breed first in their second spring, however some males may not breed until they are almost five years old. The shelduck has one single brood per year and the eggs are laid at the end of April in a clutch of between 6 to 10 eggs. The eggs are incubated by the female for around 30 days with the young birds fledging in a further 6 weeks. Around 50% of the young make it water , with only around 10% making it to adults.
The shelduck’s diet consists of invertebrates , small shellfish , aquatic snails and plants. They forage in shallow water by upending and dabbling.
Classified as amber in the UK under birds of concern , as with most wildlife in the UK the shelduck is protected under the wildlife and countryside act , 1981
©️ Wildonline 2020

MONDAY AT THE HIDE
Monday at the Hide , 8th August 2022 The start of another week and once again it’s a stunning summers day here in North Wiltshire. The temperature at the hide peaked at 29c .We have started the process of trimming the meadow. Because of the accessibility issues it will all have to be done by […]

FRIDAY AT THE HIDE
Here are a few images from the Meadow Hide …..

THE MEADOW
I can’t believe it’s August already , where has 2022 gone. ( our local pub already has signs up for Christmas parties! ) Here are a few images from today at the Meadow Hide….
Now that’s a beautiful duck!
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thank you Jo
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A very attractive duck! Ducks are wonderful! ❤️
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thanks John
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Great photos!
I need to get back out with my camera.
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Thanks for following.
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