ALTHOUGH regarded as a coastal bird, the wigeon can still be found around reservoirs in East Lancashire.

They roost on the water and feed on the marginal grass.

As usual with ducks, the male is more colourful than the female.

The reason is that the female incubates the eggs on her own and the more camouflage she has, the more likely the nest is to survive.

The male has a chestnut-coloured head, with a prominent yellow patch on its forehead, which can be seen at a distance, even in poor light.

The male also has a prominent patch of white on the wing.

Both sexes have very obvious pointed tails and white on the belly, which can be seen clearly in flight.

The body length is between 18cms and 22cms.

In Britain, the wigeon is mainly a wintering species, but a few pairs breed in Britain and the resident population seems to be increasing.

Their breeding range seems to have spread from Scotland and moved south.

Each nest is concealed among vegetation and lined with grass and down feathers plucked from the female’s breast.

She lays between seven and nine eggs.

Unlike most species of duck, the male does seem to remain in the area, but takes no part in the incubation.

The ducklings take to the water soon after hatching and are kept as a family by the female until they can fly.

I am interested in finding out how many wigeons breed in East Lancashire and would like to hear from any readers who see wigeon on our reservoirs.