On our dog walk late this afternoon, we saw two pairs of very strange ducks on the River Ribble. The males (I assume they were males) were mainly white with (I think) black heads and necks and black bits on the wings. I am sorry I can't be more precise as not only did I not have my bins and camera, I also wasn't wearing my specs!!!
The females seemed to be smaller and were a browny-grey. The "black" heads and necks could have been any very dark colour. Both males were identical, as were the females.
They were swimming and looking for food beneath the water. They were so fast it was unbelievable - when one ducked under the water, the mate literally water skied to get there. They were in a part of the river where the water flows quite fast over some large rocks.
We are some 30 miles inland in Lancashire. We take this walk most days and this is the first time we have seen these ducks.
Any ideas? I hope to go back tomorrow, better equiped!!
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi TJ
Thanks for those. I can now certainly eliminate the Golden Eye. The Goosander is very similar, but possibly mine had whiter backs, with a bit less black on the wings. Very difficult!!
I'm just pleased about the oyster catcher!!
Hi Sparrow, well done on the Oystercatcher photos. It's definitely a year for seeing birds in the most unexpected places. Perhaps it shows how they have had to widen their patch in the search for food - or maybe news of your new camera has reached the waterbird population now!!!!!
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Nice one Sparrow! We have a pair coming to Venus at the mo, hoping they'll breed there again!
Here's a pair of goosanders I saw last week on the Severn (can't open TJ's link to see those pics)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
I am pretty sure they are goosanders, especially after looking at your picture MarJus, so thank you for posting it. It will teach me to at least wear my specs when out walking!!!! With the dogs in tow it is difficult to manage a camera, but specs would be better than nothing!
I will have another look later this afternoon, but as I couldn't see them yesterday they may have just been on a stop over. The consolation was the oystercatcher.
I am so glad I wasn't seeing things 2 days ago!! Went back again late this afternoon and one of the 2 pairs was still there. Defo Goosanders. I managed some dodgy photos, including a few of the undergrowth between me and the ducks, and one of my feet. (No oystercatchers today though)
The little girl looks rather pretty, and very proud of her mate I think
Well done Sparrow. I'm glad you finally tracked them down. Really nice birds to see. Your photos don't look dodgy to me. Another tick on your list. It's amazing how that new camera is attracting all these celebreties.
TJ
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Hi Sparrow, I can't see your pictures, I've not had any problems with photo's today and was begging to wonder if it had been fixed, obviously not though, I'll have another look later, glad you got your shots though and you've got to the bottom of it.
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
I've reloaded the pics.
My tick list has grown by 2 this last weekend, and both complete surprises and unexpected.
Hi Sparrow, I can see them now, well done on those and the oystercatchers, you are lucky, the last few times I've been out with my camera I've got nothing, ohh no tell a lie I got a picture of a robin yesterday when I was out, I could have got a picture of one of those sat at home lol.
I am so glad you saw them again, Sparrow and were also able to photograph them. Your photographs are lovely.