The Garganey is a scarce and very secretive breeding duck in the UK. It is smaller than a mallard and slightly bigger than a teal. The male is most easily recognised with a broad white stripe over the eye. In flight it shows a pale blue forewing. It feeds by 'dabbling'. Garganey's can mostly be found in central and southern England feeding on plant material and insects. It favours shallow wetlands, with flooded meadows and ditches, and plenty of aquatic vegetation - this can make it difficult to see. Breeding birds arrive from March and return from July. Small numbers of non-breeding birds visit on passage migration in spring and autumn. Estimated numbers in the UK are 23-115 pairs This Garganey was spotted just up past the boat club at Stranmillis Weir.