Spent the afternoon at Venus Pool (Shropshire) last Sunday and saw my first ever scaup (female). It was rather overcast unfortunately so not the best of pics but nice to see!! She seemed to spend more time under the water than above so 'catching' her on the surface and keeping up with her was a challenge as she covered some distances under water at times!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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No..........! Just getting the blue ? here, please try again.
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
I can see it ok....
Great bird to see and despite the gloom a good photo. I've never (knowingly) seen one. I've often stared long and hard at a flock of tufties and nearly convinced myself that I've seen a scaup You know how sometimes they crossbreed with Pochard just to make life difficult for us.
TJ
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Tony
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I see it now, Nice one M, I want one!
LOL @ John - what are we like? As soon as it's something different the "I want one of those" syndrome kicks in!!!!
Hi MarJus, that's a great photo - and very well spotted. I need to gen up on waterfowl as half the time I am not sure what I am seeing when we go to our local reserves. And as for waders and warblers.... the less said the better! (shades of How to be a Bad Birdwatcher there, I fear).
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!
Hi MarJus, well done on getting a shot of your first Scaup.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Great spot and picture despite this gloomy weather. Woke up to snow again today. Its getting monotonous now
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Hi Marjus, congratulations, you must be chuffed to bits.
I'm afraid I have never heard of a scaup and had to loook it up. I must also do a bit of homework on waterfowl, waders and warblers. Once I get out of the garden I'm useless on everything..
Cheers, Linda.
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Hi MarJus
It's a lovely Scaup, likewise it's not a duck I knew about either.
I know you probably already know this, but you did well to spot one according to the write up in my book as their concentrated numbers have decreased due to anti-pollution measures, so well done you.
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Thanks everyone! Always nice to see something new! I also need to brush up on my fowl, waders and warblers I can tell you!! I certainly can't take the credit for spotting this girl as she was mentioned in the hide log book, so it was a case of trying to spot her!