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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Long-tailed Duck - clangula hyemalis

 

Long-tailed Duck is a medium-sized sea duck that used to be known in North America as 'Oldsquaw'. It caused offence to some Native American Indian tribes the term 'squaw' being derogatory for prostitute in one particular language so the name Long-tailed Duck has now been officially adopted. Some historical names for Long-tailed Duck include; Long-tailed Hareld, Caloo, Coldie and Ice Duck.

 

There have been twenty Long-tailed Ducks reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2003: (1)

A male was identified on May 5th at Severn Beach late morning.

 

2001: (1)

A male was present at Oldbury Power Station in early January.

 

2000: (1)

On November 3rd a female was found at Oldbury Power Station and was present until December 3rd.

 

1999: (1)

A female was present Oldbury Power Station from January 1st until May 9th.

 

1998: (3)

On May 14th a summer male was seen in flight at Oldbury Power Station over Lagoon III; A female was found on October 11th off Northwick Warth; A female was located on December 30th at Oldbury Power Station and was present until May 9th 1999.

 

1992: (2)

Two were observed in flight heading north on April 18th at New Passage.

 

1991: (4)

Four were seen on November 2nd off New Passage, they were all female/ immature two of which were still present on November 3rd with one lingering until November 13th.

 

1987: (1)

On January 11th a female was seen in flight heading north-east off Severn Beach.

 

1983: (1)

A single bird was seen off Northwick Warth on October 26th.

 

1982: (2)

An immature male was seen at Oldbury Power Station and was present from October 16th until November 7th; A female was reported off Severn Beach on December 17th.

 

1981: (1)

A single bird was noted flying north off Northwick Warth on November 1st.

 

1980: (1)

One, a male, was reported on April 20th off Aust Warth.

 

1976: (1)

One, probably an immature male was seen off New Passage on October 31st. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire. (Norman Lacy)

 

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