TBOSG     Garganey - Anus querquedula

Some care is needed in separating the brown female from the similar Common Teal but the stronger face markings and more frequent head-shaking when dabbling are good indicators. Confusion with the female of the rare Blue-winged Teal is also possible but the head and bill shape is different and the latter species has yellow legs. Garganey was first recorded in 1668 and was a mis-spelling of the word Gargane. The name Garganey apparently comes from the Bellinzona district of Tessin in Switzerland. Some historical names for Garganey include: Pied Wigeon, Summer Duck and Cricket Teal. The scientific name 'querquedula' may possibly refer to the Latin onomatopoeic word for 'quack'?

Earliest: March 14th 1993 on Northwick Warth.

Latest: October 23rd 2005 at New Passage.

Highest Count: Four on April 1st 2005 at New Passage.

There have been around seventy-five Garganey reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;

2008: (4)

An early male was seen at Oldbury Power Station between 08:00 - 08:30 on March 24th when it visited Lagoon III and was last seen flying low to the south-west; One was present at Oldbury Power Station on April 28th; Two including an eclipse male were present at Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon I on August 19th.

Garganey at Oldbury Power Station. March 2008. © Pete Hazelwood.

2006: (6)

A male was found on Lagoon I on April 23rd at Oldbury Power Station; A male was found on Grebe Pond, Northwick Warth on May 8th; A male was seen at Oldbury Power Station on May 14th; On August 9th one was reported from Oldbury Power Station; Two eclipse drakes were seen at New Passage on August 23rd amongst around forty Common Teal.

Garganey at Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon I April 2006 & Grebe Pond, Northwick Warth. May 2006. © Paul Bowerman.

2005: (9)

Four, including three males were seen off New Passage on April 1st; A male was noted at Oldbury Power Station on April 15th - 16th; One, a male was seen in flight at Severn Beach on May 5th; On May 16th a male was found at Severn Beach; Two were noted on October 22nd - 23rd at New Passage.

2004: (2)

On Severnside single males were present on April 14th on Grebe Pond Northwick Warth; One was seen on May 11th at New Passage.

Garganey at New Passage. April 2004. © Paul Bowerman.

2002: (9)

One, a male on March 24th was seen at New Passage; A male on April 12th was found at Orchard Pools was joined by a second from the 16th with one remaining until May 3rd; Two on April 15th at Northwick Warth, both males, were present until April 24th; A male on April 30th at Northwick Warth, was present until May 9th; A male was seen at New Passage on the 9th May; A male and female on May 13th were also seen at Northwick Warth.

Garganey on Orchard Pools near Severn Beach. April 2002. © Paul Bowerman.

2001: (4)

On the August 10th a male was seen at Oldbury Power Station; An individual was found at Northwick Warth on August 11th; There was one on September 20th at New Passage followed by another on September 29th also at New Passage.

2000: (1)

On May 5th a male was found at Oldbury Power Station.

1999: (1)

On May 6th a male was located at Northwick Warth, it was subsequently recorded on May 7th, 16th and 17th.

1998: (1)

A single male was found on March 29th at New Passage.

1997: (4)

One was near Hallen on June 4th ; On June 10th two, a male and female were at Northwick Warth; On September 2nd an eclipse male was also seen at Northwick Warth.

1996: (1)

On April 11th a male was located at Northwick Warth.

1995: (17)

An incredible seventeen individuals were present at Northwick Warth in a period from August 1st through until September 10th.

1994: (5)

On July 14th a female was at Northwick Warth; Two on July 31st were also at Northwick Warth, a male and female present until August 16th and on August 15th at Northwick Warth, another male joined the already present male and female with all three remaining until August 16th; On August 23rd at Northwick Warth a male was present until August 26th.

1993: (4)

On March 14th two, a male and female were at Northwick Warth; A male was seen on May 24th also at Northwick Warth; A male was present on August 22nd at Tortworth Lake.

1989: (2)

On May 5th there were two present at New Passage.

1983: (2)

On August 9th two were identified at Oldbury Power Station.

1982: (2)

A pair were seen in flight up river off Severn Beach on April 13th. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire.

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