THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
THE BIRDS OF SOUTH
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
RUDDY DUCK – Oxyura jamaicensis
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
As a result of escapes from wildfowl collections Ruddy Duck are now established as a breeding bird in Great Britain from where they have spread widely into Europe. Its aggressive courting behaviour and willingness to interbreed with the endangered native White-headed Duck of southern Europe is a cause of some concern therefore and due to this there is now a controversial scheme to extirpate the Ruddy Duck as a British breeding species.
There have been around thirty-five Ruddy Duck reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1979: (2)
Two were reported from Aust Warth on January 6th.
1981: (2)
Two males were reported on the R. Severn off New Passage on November 6th.
1982: (1)
A single bird was reported off Severn Beach on December 3rd.
1984: (3)
The two birds found on February 19th at Oldbury Power Station and were present until February 23rd; One was seen at Oldbury Power Station on March 3rd.
1985: (1)
On January 12th a single bird was watched at Northwick Warth.
1986: (1)
One was see off New Passage sometime in February.
1988: (1)
A female was observed on September 20th at Aust Warth.
1991: (7)
Two, both female on February 10th at Oldbury Power Station were on the tidal reservoir; There were five birds on February 10th at New Passage with three seen again on February 14th.
1992: (1)
A 1st winter male was seen on January 11th at Northwick Warth.
1995: (1)
A male was seen on December 31st at Northwick Warth.
1996: (1)
A male present on December 31st 1995 at Northwick Warth was still present on January 1st.
1997: (7)
Seven, the highest count to date were seen on January 3rd at Aust Warth (including four males); On January 3rd at Severn Beach a female was present until January 16th, it was joined by another male and female on January 6th.
1998: (3)
A male and female were seen on May 4th on Severnside; A male on August 29th on Severnside.
1999: (1)
A male was seen on April 23rd on Severnside.
2000: (1)
One on February 6th was noted at Tortworth Lake.
2002: (1)
One, a female, was watched on June 14th on Orchard Pools near Severn Beach.
2004: (1)
One was observed at New Passage on October 28th.