Shelducks

Today's the day ………………………….. to mud-sling

There were six of these shelducks today wading about in the estuarine mud of the River Dee - and they were a belligerent lot.

One of our largest ducks, the Shelduck is a handsome creature with a dark green head, red bill and chestnut-brown band across its white body.  These ones were making a lot of noise and really having a go at each other, amid much wing-bashing and posturing. 

Or maybe it was just the males doing what they do at this time of the year ………………………..?