The last time I saw a Ruddy Duck was well over twenty years ago, at that time they were quite common particularly at locations like Rostherne Mere in Cheshire unfortunately in the period since they have been subject to a massive cull in order to prevent breeding with the similar but rare indigenous White Headed Duck usually only found on main land Europe.
Originally imported from North American by Peter Scott to form part of the Slimbridge wildfowl collection, over time escapees have bred rapidly colonising many parts of the UK including crossing the channel to main land Europe.
You can read an account of culling the Ruddy Duck on the link below
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/08/ruddy-ducks-cull-invasive-species
I got wind of a non breeding male in the morning and within a couple of hours I had located the duck which looks very much like a Whited Headed Duck without the bulbous bill. Initially keeping its distance but over time sitting quiet under a throw over hide the duck approached to within twenty metres. Very noticeable was how vocal the duck was constant calling with single burp like call.
light conditions weren't that brilliant coming from the side making the images a little washed out but least the exposure of the duck looks ok. Making the most of the opportunity as this could be the last time I will see a Ruddy Duck before it disappears from the UK permanently.
Images are of a non breeding male, as a comparison I have included some images of the White Headed Duck taken recently in Murcia.
Click image to view
Ruddy Duck - non breeding male
White Headed Duck - male
Whited Headed Duck - female
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