For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
Hi John, do you have anymore info, place, time of year etc.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Hi John
I will make a guess here of 2 Juvenile Eider Ducks.
The shape of the ducks beaks are very Eider like in appearance,
The Juvenile colouration matches the species of birds
Regards
Kathy and Dave
They remind me of gadwalls although the front one (male?) doesn't have a black 'bum'!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Vane Farm RSPB this summer, I was chasing the Grebe with chicks peeping out from under wings. 01/08/09 just after 12 lunch.
Buzzard said: Hi John, do you have anymore info, place, time of year etc. Regards Buzzard
When I first looked I thought Pintail maybe eclipse or juvenile, but now not sure.
Thanks John for the extra info.
Do you have an idea as to what they are!!
I have done the normal cropping, enlarging, enhancing etc
Judging the birds by your photo, I would say the two furthest birds were roughly the same size as the Great Crested Grebe 48cm!!!
This would rule out my first thought a Bean Goose 71-89cm, normally here Nov-Mar uncommon winter visitor. This ID was based on the beak colouring!
I then thought Gadwall as Marjus mentioned, both possibly females again based on beak shape and colouring.
This link shows a nice picture of a female http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?mode=file&f=224611&rty=0&r=1&v=0&off=224611
They do appear to have more of a Gadwall look to them and perhaps the lack of black bum as MarJus noted, shows eclipse, but still not sure.
Will go and look in my book in a minute first look though I'm thinking pintail
Its a toughie but my guess would be Common Scoter, but just a guess no idea really, added a picture of a pintail but no wiser really
strive for better
mmm -looked at books - still thinking pintail?