THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
LONG-TAILED DUCK – Clangula hyemalis
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
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 a 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, they are;
1976: (1)
One, probably an immature male was seen off New Passage on October 31st.
1980: (1)
One, a male, was reported on April 20th off Aust Warth.
1981: (1)
A single bird was noted flying north off Northwick Warth on November 1st.
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.
1983: (1)
A single bird was seen off Northwick Warth on October 26th.
1987: (1)
On January 11th a female was seen in flight heading north-east off Severn Beach.
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.
1992: (2)
Two were observed in flight heading north on April 18th at New Passage.
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.
1999: (1)
A female was present Oldbury Power Station from January 1st until May 9th.
2000: (1)
On November 3rd a female was found at Oldbury Power Station and was present until December 3rd.
2001: (1)
A male was present at Oldbury Power Station in early January.
2003: (1)
A male was identified on May 5th at Severn Beach late morning.