Date parsed: 07/05/2008 11:03:55
Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 11:03:55 GMT
On Wed, 7 May 2008 11:14:40 +0100, Phil Wilson wrote:
>
tsulman@beeb.net wrote:
>> Just seen these ducks beside the canal near a village
>> red legs with web feet/ dark ring around eyes/white and black under
>> wings/feeds with canadian geese but not swimming in the canal
>> photo link
>>
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/canalperson/Ducks02/photo#5197547884242652850
>> soft horn like call
>> any ideas
>> Thanks
>
> They are 'Egyptian Geese', which are widely held in captivity. They're
> relatives of the Shelduck, I believe, so probably not 'true' geese as
> normally understood. Some people, including me, think them rather
> unbeautiful.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Phil
The species was introduced in the 1700s and is found mainly in Norfolk as a
feral population although they have spread out into other parts of East
Anglia to some extent.
There are a few pairs in Hertfordshire near the Grand Union Canal in the
Colne Valley so if this is where you took the photo they are probably feral
birds. They probably door occur along the Grand Union Canal at other places
but they are not common.
Alan