Garganey

Anas querquedula

Rare Summer visitors of 100 pairs breeding in Britain, scarce migrants, mostly from March-September.

Also breeds in Eastern Europe, Spain & the Baltic Sea from March-August.

Winters in Southern Europe & South Africa.

Male is unmistakable, with its brown head and breast with a broad white crescent over the eye.

The rest of the plumage is grey, with loose grey scapular feathers.

It has a grey bill and legs.

In flight, it shows a pale blue speculum with a white border.

Some care is needed in separating the brown Female from the similar Common Teal.

Pale eyebrow, dark eye line, pale lore spot bordered by a second dark line.

The Male has a distinctive crackling mating call.