Anyone who has visited the Farne Islands, in Northumberland, will remember especially the Eiders known locally as St. Cuthbert's or "Cubbie's" Ducks, after the saint who lived there in early times. They nest on the islands, on the ground, and ignore passing humans, unless anyone is foolish enough to touch or stroke them. In which case the punishment is a sharp peck from a large beak. The female Eider lines her nest with her soft downy breast feathers and Man has learned to rob the nests for making 'Eiderdowns' and pillows. Nowadays in Iceland, the down is harvested without harming the ducks or their eggs.
Here in Essex, Eiders can be seen in the Blackwater in every month of the year. They of course do not nest here, but those that remain for the summer (up to 55 one year) are generally immature, non-breeding birds that perhaps are too lazy to return to the far North. The 'Beach Recharge' at Tollesbury Wick is a reliable place to see them. They benefit from these new shingle 'islands' as safe places to haul out to preen and sleep. This is generally known as 'loafing' in wildfowl terms.
In appearance the adult male Eider is unmistakable, with his stark black and white plumage, his large triangular beak and his solid bulk. Many of our birds are young ones and their plumage is usually spangled brown and greyish white, while the females are dull brown.
in our estuary the Eiders probably live on crabs, which they collect by diving, but in some areas they fall foul of fisherman when they get a taste for farmed mussels.
Pause around Blockhouse Bay next time you are there and look out for these attractive visitors!