A Commonplace book by Sandy and Penny Burnfield

Wednesday, December 27, 2006


Goosander

Mergus merganser

These handsome diving ducks are a member of the sawbill family, so called because of their long, serrated bills, used for catching fish. A largely freshwater bird, the goosander first bred in the UK in 1871. It built up numbers in Scotland and then since 1970 it has spread across N England into wales, reaching SW England. Its love of salmon and trout has brought it into conflict with fishermen. It is gregarious, forming into flocks of several thousand in some parts of Europe.

Helen Deavin, of the RSPB, Penny's Goddaughter, identified this on the Test at Terstan yesterday - I have not seen it before.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Mum having her Guinness this morning

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