Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

Table 2 – Bird species associated with fen habitats
Name
Scientific
name
Period of
occurrence
in the UK 1
Protection
in law and
policy 2
Preferred habitat features
and season of use 1
Mute Swan Cygnus olor All year Vegetated margins of open water bodies
The species shows a preference for
waterbodies where there are extensive
shallows with much floating, bottom, and
emergent vegetation.
Garganey Anas
querquedula
Dabbling
Duck e.g.
Mallard
Teal
Wigeon
Pintail
Diving
Waterbirds
e.g.
Tufted Duck
Pochard
Coot
Great
Crested
Grebe
Anas
platyrhynchos
Anas crecca
Anas
penelope
Anas acuta
Aythya fuligula
Aythya ferina
Fulica atra
Podiceps
cristatus
Little Grebe Tachybaptus
ruficollis
Mar-Sep Sch 1;
Sch1(NI)
All year
Significantly
greater
numbers in the
non-breeding
season Aug-
Apr
All year
Significantly
greater
numbers in the
non-breeding
season Aug-
Apr
Vegetated margins of open water bodies
Favours narrow or well compartmented,
sheltered, and shallow standing fresh
waters, merging into grassland, floodland,
or other wetland, with plenty of floating and
emergent vegetation, but not too tall or dense,
unbroken, fringing cover.
Vegetated margins of open water bodies
Grazed or cut fen in floodplain
Most species prefer waterbodies with more
or less dense fringing vegetation, with ready
access to secure and sheltered resting
places. The waterbodies may be small pools
or shallow sheltered parts of much larger
open waters. Some species, e.g. Wigeon, do
prefer much more open landscapes e.g. tracts
of flooded grassland across which to forage.
When breeding and in the flightless stage of
post-breeding moult, birds seek the protection
afforded by dense marginal or emergent
vegetation and swamps with little open water.
Vegetated margins of open water bodies
In the non-breeding season, favour shallow
open waterbodies where they forage upon
submerged aquatic resources, plant and
animal matter. Most species will tolerate fairly
restricted open waters with dense marginal
vegetation. Breeds at similar sites where
nests are located over shallow water or on
ground never far from water; usually in thick
cover.
All year Vegetated margins of open water bodies
Prefers open standing waters usually
0.5–5 m deep. When breeding, prefers
ample, but not too dense, emergent aquatic
vegetation, especially fringing, with some
submerged bottom cover and limited floating
growth. On large sheets of water, prefers
shallow sheltered bays with islets or fronting
reedbeds.
All year Vegetated margins of open water bodies
A preference is shown for shallow and
small waterbodies with muddy bottoms
and margins, often with dense growth of
submerged aquatic plants. It will tolerate
water surfaces covered in extensive
floating vegetation so long as diving and
swimming is not inhibited. Outside the
breeding season, the species preferences
extend to more open and exposed waters
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