Is the common goldeneye endangered?

What is the scientific name of the GoldenEye?

Scientific name: Bucephala clangula. A medium-sized diving duck, the Goldeneye can mainly be spotted in winter when birds fly in from Northern Europe.

Are GoldenEye protected in the UK?

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. The male goldeneye is a handsome diving duck. Apart from a small breeding population in the highlands of Scotland, most goldeneye only spend the winter in the UK, particularly on larger lakes and reservoirs.

What to do with a common goldeneye?

We have also put together a list of fun Common Goldeneye t-shirts, Common Goldeneye bird patches, birdhouses, bird feeders, binoculars, stickers, and other fun bird-watching items. The Common Goldeneye (Buvephala Clangula) is a close relative of the Barrow Goldeneye known for moving in flocks.

Where can I find a GoldenEye?

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season. In summer goldeneye are mainly in the Highlands of Scotland. They are best looked for in winter on lakes, large rivers and sheltered coasts, particularly in north and west Britain.

When can I see goldeneyes in Scotland?

Goldeneyes can be seen in summer in the Highlands of Scotland for breeding birds; wintering birds arrive from August to December and return north in February and March.

How do common goldeneyes defend their territory?

On the breeding grounds, the male combines threat displays and direct chases to defend both his mate and breeding territory from other Common Goldeneyes. They also defend their territory from Barrow’s Goldeneyes and Bufflehead where breeding grounds overlap.

Can you spot a GoldenEye in Scotland?

A medium-sized diving duck, the goldeneye can mainly be spotted in winter when birds fly in from Northern Europe. Conservation efforts have helped small numbers of these birds to nest in Scotland.

Why go birdwatching in the Scottish Highlands?

Birdwatchers and twitchers have been flocking to the Scottish Highlands for generations to feast their eyes on birds of prey, seabirds and wildfowl.

Where can I see wild turkeys in Scotland?

These dramatic Scottish birds are found on the far northern islands of Scotland, and on some northern reaches of the mainland, migrating here from their wintering grounds off the coasts of Spain and Africa.

Do Barrow’s goldeneyes dive?

Barrow’s Goldeneyes are diving ducks, and whole groups of goldeneyes will dive at the same time. They forage around pilings, and most of their foraging is under water. Barrow’s Goldeneyes are aggressive and territorial, even more so than Common Goldeneyes.

What is the difference between a barrow’s and a common goldeneye?

For the females, the common goldeneye has a less rounded head, and a bill in which only the tip is yellow. The Barrow’s goldeneye is a relatively quiet bird that generally only makes vocalizations during the breeding season and courtship.

What birds can you see in Scotland?

There are so many stunning bird species to spot throughout Scotland, from huge predators prowling the skies and nimble grouse navigating heather-clad moorlands to cheerful songbirds nestling in tranquil woodland and vast seabird cities thriving on coastal cliffs.

Where to go birdwatching in Scotland in spring?

One of the treats of Scottish mountains in spring, particularly for birdwatching in the Cairngorms, is the arrival of the increasingly rare Ring Ouzel. The Ring Ouzel comes back from its wintering grounds of the mountains of North Africa in the spring. It’s the mountain equivalent of the Blackbird.

Why go birdwatching in Highland?

Many of the special species that occur in Highland are sensitive, rare or have restricted range. This makes it vitally important that all birdwatchers which visit the area to be especially responsible when in the field in Highland.

Why birding the Scottish Highlands in May?

Birding the wonderful Scottish Highlands in May is one of the greatest pleasures available in the UK. With summer visitors arriving in good numbers, and key speciality birds still displaying or breeding, there is so much going on. We enjoy six tremendous days of wildlife watching, and all within striking distance of our Hotel here in Nethy Bridge.

Where can I go bird-watching in Scotland in winter?

Dotterel fly south in autumn but there is some great bird-watching in Scotland in winter. The rural areas of eastern Scotland are good places to see the over-wintering flocks of grey geese of various species – Montrose Basin and Loch of Strathbeg can be spectacular. Vane Farm close to Edinburgh is another good place.

What’s the best time of year to see wildlife in Scotland?

When: The best time to spot these colourful birds is in the spring months of March – May. One of the most iconic animals associated with Scotland, the red deer is the UK’s largest land mammal and can be spotted in almost every region in the country.

What kind of birds live in Scotland?

Osprey, snow bunting, dotterel, great skua, Scottish crossbill, crested tit and several others are just some of the species especially associated with Scotland. The snow bunting pictured is a bird I associate with wild winter days on the east coast, but you can see them hopping around the ski centre carparks sometimes.

What wildlife can you see in Scotland?

There is an abundance of wildlife species you can spot across Scotland in a range of natural habitats. Here are just a few to keep your eyes peeled for: These hardy little birds are one of the many bird species you are bound to come across on your travels around Scotland.

Why visit Scotland’s Birds?

Scotland’s varied and diverse landscapes, coastlines and coastal waters provide habitats for a huge range of Scottish birds.

What to see in Scotland this birdwatching season?

Thousands of skuas, auks, dotterels, ptarmigans, and eagles highlight Scottish birdwatching season Something wrong? Diverse landscapes from the tranquil pinewoods of Caledonia, the Cairngorn mountains, Highlands, and lengthy coastline result in the great variety of birds and hence year-round bird watching opportunities.

Why birding in Aberdeenshire?

Aberdeenshire makes up the north-east corner of Scotland, a large area including a very wide range of habitats. The habitat diversity, and the presence of many of Scotland’s speciality birds makes the region a magnet for birders visiting the UK.