With the welcome rains filling the lake again, our ducks have returned. Ten species have been seen over the years and we will feature some of them in the coming months.
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The very handsome Australian Shoveler is endemic to Australia and New Zealand. As it is said to prefer permanent water bodies, we are very fortunate to be able to enjoy seeing them every winter and spring. They feed on microorganisms,
filtering them from water or soft mud with their specially shaped bills.
The female is on the left, male on the right.
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The Pink-eared Duck is endemic to Australia and is widespread where suitable water bodies are present. Like the Australian Shoveler, it feeds by filtering water and soft mud with its specially shaped bill
Last spring they used some of our newly installed nesting boxes for breeding. The typical clutch size is seven but, as with other ducks, there is a heavy loss to predation.
Males and females are alike.
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For more of our birds please head over to our Birds of Lake Claremont page which if full of great content