Blue-winged Teal

🔍 Overview

A small North American duck that is a rare but near-annual vagrant to the UK. Sussex has a handful of credible records, mostly in autumn and winter.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Males: pale blue forewing and bold white crescent in front of eye

Females resemble female Garganey but have plainer faces

Smaller than Mallard, with compact build and fast flight

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Look for individuals on flooded meadows, gravel pits, and coastal lagoons such as Rye Harbour, Pagham Harbour, or Arundel WWT. Most likely to occur in autumn, often after strong westerly winds.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Usually silent in the UK. Feeds by dabbling and upending in shallow water, often associating with Teal or Shoveler.