RED-BREASTED MERGANSER – Mergus serrator

As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees

Red-breasted Merganser is a diving duck of the genus Mergus; it's scientific name 'merganser', is derived from the Latin word 'merg' meaning diving (from mergere, to plunge) and 'anser' meaning goose and was first treated as an English word in 1752. Some historical names for Red-breasted Merganser include; Lesser Toothed Diver, Sawbill, Harle, Sandbill and Spear Drake.

There have been around fifty Red-breasted Merganser reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;

1982: (2)

Two 'redheads' were seen in flight heading up river off Severn Beach on December 3rd.

1984: (2)

A 'redhead' was seen off New Passage on April 29th; A male was noted off New Passage on May 8th.

1985: (1)

On October 20th a 'redhead' was seen off Aust Warth.

1986: (1)

A single male was seen on April 13th off Aust Warth.

1987: (1)

A single male was seen on March 8th off New Passage.

1989: (1)

One was present on April 27th off New Passage.

1990: (1)

A 'redhead' was seen on March 31st off New Passage.

1991: (3)

Three males were present on February 10th off Aust Warth.

1992: (3)

A male and female were seen on April 15th on Severnside; One was noted on May 4th on Severnside and was seen in flight heading south-west.

1995: (3)

Three were seen in flight past Oldbury Power Station on October 22nd.

1996: (4)

On January 13th at Oldbury Power Station, a male was observed in flight heading south-west; A female on March 17th was noted off New Passage; A male and female were sighted on April 1st off Severn Beach, in flight heading north-east.

1997: (2)

A female appeared on February 1st on Severnside; A redhead was present on November 1st - 2nd at Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon III.

1998: (10)

Nine 'redheads' were found on April 14th on Severnside; On October 30th at Oldbury Power Station, a ‘redhead’ was watched in flight heading down channel.

1999: (2)

A 'redhead' arrived at Oldbury Power Station  on January 3rd and was present until January 8th; On November 13th a female was seen off Severn Beach.

2000: (4)

Three birds, including two males, were seen on October 8th at Oldbury Power Station and were noted in flight heading south-west; A male was present on December 21st on Severnside.

2001: (2)

A male was seen off New Passage on February 13th; A male on December 17th on Severnside, was watched in flight heading north-east.

2002: (2)

Two, a male and female were watched off Severn Beach on December 25th.

2004: (6)

Six 'redheads' were seen off New Passage on October 1st.

Red-breasted Merganser off New Passage. October 2004. © Paul Bowerman.

2005: (3)

Three, two males and a female were present off Severn Beach on March 20th.

2006: (2)

A female was noted off Severn Beach on May 10th; One, a female was reported off Severn Beach on October 30th.

2007: (1)

A female was seen in flight heading south off New Passage on February 15th.