The goosander (Mergus merganser) is the second most seen duck on the river at Ross on Wye after the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). At all times of year females are more visible than males, and in summer they breed along the river, mothers often being seen with more than a dozen ducklings. The goosander is a species that is increasingly widespread, having spread from its Scottish base to northern England and Wales and more recently into the south-west. It belongs to the sawbill family of ducks (which also includes the red-breasted merganser and the smew), and the feature that gave rise to that family name can be seen better than usual on the photograph above.
photos © T. Boughen Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2
