It is not often we get to see a Shelduck let alone six together in the middle of one of our fields so this sighting brought about much excitement to humans and dogs alike while I was out with the Tooseys. We stayed well away at the field margins so not to disturb them and watched the two groups of three Sheldrakes rest and preen themselves.
Sheldrakes, as they were formally known, are an Old World gooselike duck much larger than a mallard but smaller than a goose. They are quite noticeable with their variegated bright white, black and orangery brown plumage and their bright red bills and feet. The males are easy to spot for they have a large prominent bright red knob at their forehead. These bright colours make Sheldrake easy prey hence why they were sitting in the middle of our field where together they could keep a watchful eye all around.
Their diet consists of small shore invertebrates, small shellfish, ragworms and aquatic snails as well as grasses and other plants. They were out of luck on our fields but maybe they were just resting for the night.
Shelducks preferred nesting site is in an old rabbit burrow or tree hollow. The female will start laying her eggs about this time of year in April through into June with 8 to10 eggs in her brood and she will incubate them for about 30 days. Interestingly the male keeps away during this time so not to attract attention to the nest location but instinct tells him when to return as soon as his chicks start to hatch so that he may help guard them. Rather sadly despite the parents best efforts only one third of the brood will survive for they are easy pickings for the seagulls, rats and other predators for the chicks cannot fly until they reach seven weeks of age.
Love Park Hall ♥