Birdwatch

THIS cold, winter weather is not just being appreciated by us ( you are enjoying it aren't you?). A walk round the Arundel Wetlands Centre will provide the sight of courting ducks at every turn.

Out on the wild lagoons are dozens of teal actively swimming after each other and calling constantly. The sound is like a soft, tinkling bell carrying across the water and can be heard way before you even get into the hides. Typically, five to seven drakes will be busily vying for the attention of one female.

These groups can be seen in a number of species, most notably teal (on the wild scrapes), pochard (on the lagoon in front of the main visitor centre) and tufted duck (although they are also wild birds, they are quite tame and are best seen in the wildfowl pools around the centre).

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The teal and tufted duck also have very attractive calls, not at all like the harsh quack of the mallard with which we are so familiar.

Tufted ducks are extraordinarily attractive creatures and nearly as un-deterred by human presence as mallards, thus providing the opportunity to admire them up close.

They are mainly blue-black with a bright golden eye contrasting with their dark plumage, light tufty crest and neat white patches on the flank. They have one of the most pleasant calls of any British duck, making a soft 'whiffle, whiffle' as they are courting.

The old name of magpie diver is an excellent description. The first record of this species breeding in Britain was as recently as 1849. Since then, there has been a steady increase in breeding numbers, with about 7,500 currently breeding in Britain.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette January 9