Birdwatch: Why eiders are not just a 'duvet duck'

Despite finding fame in the name of the eiderdown, there is more to appreciate about this heavyweightWe hadn't even left Seahouses harbour when we caught sight of them: a flock of female eider ducks, accompanied by a flotilla of tiny chicks. Unusually, the females don't just look after their own offspring but form creches, taking turns to keep an eye on all the youngsters as they dive beneath the waves to feed.Eiders are Britain's largest and heaviest duck, built like a heavyweight boxer. More surprisingly, they are also the UK's second commonest breeding duck, behind the ubiquitous mallard. Continue reading...