Winter wildfowl | Surrey Wildlife Trust

Goldeneye

© Fergus Gill/2020VISION

Surrey through the seasons

Winter wildfowl

Wild winter wetlands

Winter is the best time of year to watch ducks, geese and swans for two very good reasons: the highest numbers of birds are present in winter months and drakes are in their brightest and best plumage of the year.

In winter look out for flocks of migratory geese and swans on Surrey's wetlands, as well as larger numbers of our less common ducks such as goldeneye, smew, snipe, tufted duck. You may also see more lapwings and other waders.

Snipe

© Fergus Gill/2020VISION

Lapwing

© David Longshaw

Tufted duck

© Bob Coyle

Smew

© Gillian Day

Whooper swan

© Fergus Gill/2020VISION

Bewick swan

© Gillian Day

Top sites for winter waders

Spynes Mere

Nutfield Marshes (The Moors)

A stunning complex of wetland reserves, with a myriad of birdlife and aquatic insects.

Thundry Meadows

Thundry Meadows

Grazing cattle on these beautiful water meadows maintain a diverse wildlife habitat.

Snipe

Newdigate Brickworks

Located on the site of a former claypit and brickworks, a beautiful woodland and grassland reserve with six water bodies.

Pepercourt

Papercourt Marshes

A small enclosed wetland reserve that is great for bird watching.

Hawthorn blossom

Manor Farm

Restored farmland by the River Wey that attracts an abundance of wildlife.