Goldeneye

• The goldeneye is 46 cm in length with a wingspan of 72 cm
• This is a diving duck which is equally at home on fresh or salt water
• The male goldeneyes appear black and white, with greenish black heads (in certain light), yellow eye and a circular white patch between the eye and beak
• Females are spotted grey-brown with chocolate brown heads and white wing patches
• This duck is a winter visitor which frequents lowland freshwater lakes across Northern Ireland, as well as coastal sites such as Strangford and Belfast Loughs
• Lough Neagh is by far the most important site for goldeneye in the UK or Ireland
• Goldeneye feed by diving down from the surface of the water
• The birdwatching hides at Oxford Island Nature Reserve provide excellent vantage points
• Good views of goldeneye can also be obtained at Quoile Pondage National Nature Reserve in County Down
• Visit the Belfast Waterworks in late winter or early spring and witness the goldeneye’s specatacular courtship display with accompaning loud double whstle