Wigeon (Eurasian Wigeon)
Anas penelope
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Distribution Britain 360 (27.2%) Ireland 25
Numbers breeding: Britain 400 Ireland 0 European status: 105,000 (0% in Britain and Ireland =5) British population trend: probably increasing How likely are you to record it? 14 squares (0.3%) Ranked 143[93=] |
Although thought of as a winter visitor this is a not uncommon breeding duck. The birds in northern England and Scotland are probably of wild origin but some of the southern birds originate from releases and escapes. There may be 400 pairs in Scotland particularly Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. A few breed in Wales (mostly Anglesey) and a handful in Ireland — the others mainly breed in the Pennines and eastern Britain. Outlook seems good for increase and spread.
The following Bird On! pictures are available:
Wigeon (Watercolour by Robert Gillmor)
The following Bird On! sketch is available:
From
The
State of the Nations Birds
Copyright © 2000 by Chris Mead