Goosanders gather at various points on the Severn in winter to choose mates and then to actually mate. One such concentration means there’s a chance of spotting in central Shrewsbury, particularly on the stretch between the Portway footbridge and English bridge – the short stretch immediately downstream of English bridge seams a particular favourite for actually mating.
The most likely spot of all on this stretch is by St Julian Friars, a popular spot for feeding the birds. Some goosanders have learned that there are easy pickings there. On our visit last month, they actually outnumbered the mallards. They were also coming so close that it was easy to get pictures: some of these were actually taken on a phone.
I took so many pictures that today’s set is just of lone males. More to follow.