Common Shelduck

Chestnut, black and white on the mudflats

The Common Shelduck is a large, goose-like duck in clean blocks of white, black and chestnut, with a bright red bill. At low tide it walks over the mudflats, sweeping its bill from side to side through the wet surface for tiny snails.

It often nests in old rabbit burrows in the dunes. Later in summer the ducklings of several families are gathered into large groups, watched over by a few adults.