Shoveler (Northern Shoveler)
Anas clypeata
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Distribution Britain 454 (-12.7%) Ireland 45 (-11.8%)
Numbers breeding: Britain 1,250 Ireland <100 European status: 37,000 (4% in Britain and Ireland =7) British population trend: probably stable How likely are you to record it? 21 squares (0.5%) Ranked 135 |
In the last century these striking ducks were in a parlous state with breeding only regular in East Anglia and south-east Scotland. Unregulated wildfowling was blamed and as legislation started to work these ducks, and other wildfowl, began to expand as breeding birds towards the end of the century. They may have bred earlier in Ireland but widespread breeding, by up to 100 pairs, might be a rather recent phenomenon. The best concentrations are at Loch Neagh and in the Shannon Callows. In Wales Anglesey is the only area with regular breeding. In Scotland breeding in Orkney, the Lowlands, part of the Hebrides, the Stewartry and the Borders may account for 100 or more pairs in a good year. This means that the English population may top 1,000 pairs in most years. The population may have peaked a decade ago but many nest in protected areas. Increased interest in wetlands must be good news.
The following Bird On! sketch is available:
Shoveler
From
The
State of the Nations Birds
Copyright © 2000 by Chris Mead