Eurasian Wigeon
Latin: Mareca penelope (Linné 1758)
Svenska: Bläsand
Deutsch: Pfeifente
Huge flocks
The Eurasian wigeon is very social and hangs out in large flocks. During their migration, these flocks normally stop to rest by the lakes of Uppland. If the flock is scared by a bird of prey, the whole flock will perform tightly coordinated aerial manoeuvres.
Only a small number of wigeons build their nests in Uppland. In Norrland, though, there are as many as 26,000 nesting pairs. There’s a good chance you will see wigeons in their beautiful summer plumage at Hjälstaviken or Ledskär on their migration northwards in March and April. The largest flocks can normally be seen during the fall migration, in September and October, on their way to Western Europe.
Photo: Kent-Ove Hvass©
Latest sightings of wigeons in Uppland
NatureGate on the Eurasian wigeon
Wikipedia article on the Eurasian wigeon