Ray Colliers Wildlife in the North – Eider Duck

There are a large number of local or “nick-names” for the majority of birds in the Highlands.  Some of these may have a strange origin that, for some the reason,   has been lost with time.  One of the most interesting sources of names are from the Gaelic and the majority of these have their own translations.  Other names are simply descriptive whilst others have very a  local origin,  especially  on the islands around the coasts.  One of the  duck family, and a sea duck in that it spends all  of its time on the sea, is the eider which meets all the criteria of sources of  various names.   The Gaelic name is Lach-Lochlainneach  which means wigeon-like duck which, for me, seems a little odd as whilst the females of both wigeon and eider may be barred brown of various shades the drakes could not be different.  Some of the Northern Isles have their own names for  the eider such as Dunter or Dunter Goose which originates in Orkney and Shetland.

Another seemingly odd name for the eider  is St Cuthbert’s duck although on investigation this origin is quite straightforward.   St.Cuthbert lived part of his life in a cell on the Farne Islands and the bird figures in legends surrounding the Saint.   Eiders were reputed to have been especially beloved of this saint during his solitude.   Perhaps he was entranced by the soft crooning calls of the male that is reputed  to be dove like.   Whatever the attraction the duck’s  name, after the Saint, is often shortened to “Culverts”.   Another localised  saying is supposed to have originated from  Orkney, although it is now widespread. It is the Orkney saying “as lazy as an eider”.  This may well refer to the fact that the male eider, I must say in common with many other duck species,  deserts the female during the incubation of the eggs and, further, plays no part in the rearing of the young ducks!

I have my favourite places to go to and see eiders, although perhaps part of the attraction for me is that it occurs along the coasts where the scenery is often spectacular. Eider seem at home even on the roughest of seas and despite the  elements, unless they are severe, will just carry on diving and feeding.   Some of  my closest views have been from a little mentioned point at Udale Bay on the south side of the Cromarty Firth.   Whilst the attraction is the new RSPB hide, where the eider can often be seen, a much better vantage view is  a little further round the bay  at Newhall Point.  When the tide is just right there is a small mussel bed exposed as the tide is ebbing and the eider, often just a couple of pairs, will dive and feed almost fifteen yards  or so from the point.  There is a small car park there  where the car can be used  as a hide and very close views obtained.  This is a good place to admire the difference  between the somewhat drab female’s plumage and the striking colours of the male.   Look for the subtle green colouring of the feathers on the nape of the male.   They must be one of the most attractive  of all the duck family.