Goosander Nestbox Scheme

Goosanders are mainly summer migrants to Ireland with small resident populations occurring in Wicklow, Donegal and Co Down. Goosanders are at the western limit of their breeding range in Ireland.  Wicklow is the only known breeding site for this species, although there have been records of breeding in Co Donegal up until recently.

Goosanders nest mostly on inland waters. They choose unpolluted, deep lakes and rivers bordered by old trees.  When ready to breed, female goosanders usually seek out a suitable cavity in old broadleaved trees, but they have been known to use rock cavities or holes in river banks. Nests may be lined with moss, plant material and down from the females breast. They lay between mid-March-April and clutch sizes are between 7-14 eggs. The female begins incubation once the clutch is complete, the male leaves the female immediately after incubation commences. After 30-34 days the eggs hatch out. The chicks remain in the nest for only a day, where after they jump out of the nest and follow the female to the water. The young are excellent divers and can move quickly but are unable to fly for 60-70 days. There is only one brood per year. Goosanders feed mainly on fish (eels, salmon and trout), but will also feed on small crustaceans and even frogs. Goosanders prefer fast flowing rivers with sand or pebble substrate. They can swim deeply and with considerable speed.

A nest box scheme for Goosanders has been operational in Wicklow Mountains National Park since 1995. The nest boxes were erected in an attempt to provide suitable alternative nesting areas for Goosanders, to maximise the chance of breeding. Nest boxes are located in bank side trees at a height of 3-8 m. The nest boxes are lined with moss or bark chippings and are cleaned out every year. The boxes are routinely checked between April – end June each year.

The breeding success of this species has improved since the provision of nestboxes, although numbers are still very low. In 2008, only 3 of the 11 nestboxes had breeding attempts, and only 1 nest box successfully produced young. In 2009, it is proposed to move some of the nestboxes that have never been used in the hopes of finding locations more favoured by the birds. It is also hoped to put up more nestboxes and to cover a wider area.