Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Elland Gravel Pits 23/12/08

37 Tufted Duck plus one duck that was associating itself with them in the main but it appeared to be slightly smaller with whitish/light coloured markings on the flanks. It also had a thin white band near the tip of its bill. It was always distant as most birds invariably are here but I think it could well be worth someone more experienced checking this individual out if they are in the vicinity bearing in mind Andy C's comments on 26/11/08.

In addition also present were:

1 female Shelduck was present which is uncommon here.
1 Goldeneye
1 Goosander
4 Little Grebe
3 Great Crested Grebe
4 Cormorant
15 Coot
120 Black-headed Gull
10 Common Gull
20 Siskin

8 comments:

Nick Carter said...

I presume you are thinking possible Ring necked?

David Tattersley said...

Hi Nick

There would appear to be 3 possibilities that I can think of:

1: Odd looking Tufted Duck
2: Tufted Duck hybrid
3: 1st Winter Ring-necked Duck

I have seen both adult male & female Ring-necked and I am certain it is neither of those.

I am unfamiliar with 1st winter plumage, and coupled with today's gloomy light and distant views I just felt it is worth someone with more experience checking the lake.

Incidentally when I first noticed it the bird was a fair distance away from all the Tufted's which were more or less in 2 groups although when something spooked the gull flock it attached itself to the larger group of Tufted's

Nick Carter said...

I got a grapevine text this afternoon saying Nick D was checking it out, watch this space!

Jim Welford said...

Theres some 1st winter pictures here

http://www.irishbirdimages.com/pages/gallery/birdguide/birdguidepage_ringneckedduck.html

Jim Welford said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David Sutcliffe said...

Nick Dawtery went down this afternoon but found it difficult to see all the Tufteds at the same time and couldn't pin anything different down! Worth another look. Lots of birds around including a flock of Siskin, 1 LBBG among a few Herring gulls.

David Sutcliffe said...

DP took photos and considers it to be Tufted as flank pattern is not right for R N Duck although the bird is smaller - an interesting one!

Steve Blacksmith said...

Thanks for the link, Jim, but I could not access the Irish Bird Guide site. Not allowed to BT customers, apparently.