THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
GARGANEY – Anas querquedula
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
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'?
There have been around seventy Garganey reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1982: (2)
A pair were seen in flight up river off Severn Beach on April 13th.
1983: (2)
On August 9th two were identified at Oldbury Power Station.
1989: (2)
On May 5th there were two present at New Passage.
1993: (4)
On March 14th two, a male and female were at Northwick Warth; A male on May 24th also at Northwick Warth; A male on August 22nd at Tortworth Lake.
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.
1995: (17)
An incredible seventeen individuals were present at Northwick Warth in a period from August 1st through until September 10th.
1996: (1)
On April 11th a male was located at Northwick Warth.
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.
1998: (1)
A single male was found on March 29th at New Passage.
1999: (1)
On May 6th a male was located at Northwick Warth, it was subsequently recorded on May 7th, 16th and 17th.
2000: (1)
On May 5th a male was found at Oldbury Power Station.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 left, Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon I. April 2006.
And right Grebe Pond, Northwick Warth. May 2006. © Paul Bowerman.
2008: (1)
An early male Garganey 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.
Garganey at Oldbury Power Station. March 2008. © Pete Hazelwood.