Although becoming quite rare in southeast Europe and
southern Spain, Ruddy Shelduck is still common across much
of its Asian range. It may be this population which gives
rise to vagrants as far west as Iceland and Great Britain.
However, since the European population is declining it is
likely that most occurrences in western Europe in recent
decades are escapes or feral birds.
There have been around fifteen Ruddy Shelduck reported from
S. Gloucestershire;
2010: (3)
Two were seen in flight up river past Oldbury Power Station
on January 8th; An adult male was present just inside the S.
Glos boundary at ST: 691 691 near the public house at
Swineford around 10:00 on April 15th.
Ruddy Shelduck at Swineford. April 2010. Geoff Harris.
2004: (c.5)
On Severnside; two birds were at Northwick Warth on February
7th and 9th; On March 30th one was seen at Severn Beach; A
pair flew up stream at Severn Beach on May 17th; One was
present on September 16th at Severn Beach; On November 24th
a red colour ringed bird was seen at Severn Beach.
Ruddy Shelduck at New Passage. June 2004. Paul Bowerman.
2003: (3)
On September 19th a female was seen twice in flight at
Northwick Warth in the morning and on Grebe Pond on
September 20th, it was present in the area until September
27th; Two were seen on December 10th at Severn Beach.
Ruddy Shelduck on Northwick Warth. September 2003. Paul
Bowerman.
1997: (2)
On November 25th two females present at Northwick Warth and
would remain until April 5th 1998.
1942: (1)
On April 18th off Aust Warth from Aust Ferry Pier a male was
watched by several observers on the mud flats below Aust
Ferry Pier on various occasions from April 18th - 25th and
again on June 2nd along the river bank at Severn Beach. It
was usually in company with Common Shelduck, compared with
which it looked slightly larger, and more goose-like both in
carriage and flight. When not feeding, much of its time was
spent in calling (a loud honking note) or in persistent
attacks on its companions. While the possibility of it being
a genuinely wild visitor cannot be entirely ruled out, it
must be regarded as a highly probable escapee from
confinement. This occurrence constitutes the first report of
this species in S. Gloucestershire.