Goldeneye  (Bucephala clangula )

In Britain, this duck breeds in the Highlands of Scotland in relatively small numbers. Birds from Scandinavia and western Russia overwinter throughout much of Britain (5), arriving from August and departing in February and March (3). There are two subspecies; the form that occurs in Eurasia (Bucephala clangula clangula) and a North American subspecies (Bucephala clangula americana). The Eurasian subspecies has a wide breeding distribution extending through northern Eurasia (4).

Breeding takes place near lakes and rivers where there are plenty of old trees that provide nesting holes. Although often thought of as a sea-duck, it is found inland (5). In winter, this duck can be found on lakes, lochs, reservoirs, gravel pits, rivers, estuaries and bays (3) (5).