Drake Gadwall ..... Classic.

Petite, but with great presence and subtlety of plumage ..... a real winner on any inland water  ..... no more to be said really.

Gadwall in warm light.

The Drake Gadwall has the  most elegant finely barred or freckled plumage that appears to be grey at a distance, subtle stuff, the rear of the male bird and its tail are black.  

To my eye they always seem to be very buoyant riding very high in the water compared to other ducks.

We get good numbers at Titchmarsh LNR in Winter.