Wigeon photographed at Rue des Bergers [BER] on 23/8/2014 Photo: © Anthony Loaring (visit site)

Surprisingly for a wildfowl species there were only two records noted by Dobson 1952. Three off Fort Le Crocq in December 1938 and a single at the Reservoir in March 1947. Given the propensity for all unusual birds to be "collected" using a shot gun the lack of records is somewhat puzzling.

The species is widespread in the UK with 200,000 present in an average year. Their traditional diet is eel grass, algae and grasses gathered on mud flats and saltings. A move to inland areas has broadened this to include stubble grain and winter wheat. The absence of this type of suitable feeding habitat forces the birds to resort to surface vegetation and dabbling in freshwater shallows.

In recent years the species is a regular winter visitor to Guernsey with birds arriving in mid September. Numbers fluctuate partly as result of hard weather movements out of other areas of North western Europe. The protection given to wildfowl following the introduction of the Wild Birds Ordinance has allowed small flocks to remain at wetland sites for extended periods. Flocks of up to fifty have been seen although the usual sightings are of between five and fifteen birds. Highest numbers occur in January and February often associated with freezing temperatures. Occasionally birds may remain until early May but the majority have departed by mid March.