Lesser Scaup

[Grousemore]

I noticed there were a couple of Lesser Scaup reported on Bird Guides today.
Having looked in Collins, I noticed there was no detailed description, it being in the back with 'Vagrants' (recorded only a few times)
I hadn't realised it was that rare, does anyone have any numbers for it?

[Bluetail]

There have been accepted 67 records to the end of 2003. Annual figures here:
http://www.bbrc.org.uk/diverstoducks.htm

[Grousemore]

Thanks for that,Jason, didn't realise the figs were available online; surprised at the number in view of the status in Collins.

[tom mckinney]

Hi Trevor, it also appears within the hybrid aythya duck bit as well, but I agree that it is far too "common" to be at the very back.

The first was in 1986 at Chasewater in Staffs, and even a bad year will produce 5+ nowadays, but this must surely have been a case of them being overlooked because of ID difficulty rather than a sudden explosion of numbers? Hybrids still regularly throw a spanner in the works, and any birds other than non-adult males are still a major headache.

[Grousemore]

Thanks for that, Tom, hadn't noticed it in the hybrid part.
I've seen quite a few Scaup in Florida, almost all Lesser...Sibley covers the differences very thoroughly.

[robinm]

Been to see the one on the Kent/Sussex border - nice bird. Unfortunately, it didn't make it onto my Kent list.

Far too distant for decent photos though.

[Grousemore]

Unfortunately, it didn't make it onto my Kent list.


Does that mean that it was at the western end of the pits, Robin?...remember looking in vain for a Dotterel there a few months ago.

[CJW]

Escapes.

[robinm]

Does that mean that it was at the western end of the pits, Robin?...remember looking in vain for a Dotterel there a few months ago.
Yes. It has been seen to cross the border to the delight of some Kent Listers.

[david kelly]

When I went to Canada, Lesser Scaup was by far the commonest diving duck I saw, far outnumbering Redheads and Canvasbacks. The scarcest of the lot Ring-necked Duck. I don't think I saw any Greater Scaups.

David

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Thanks for that,Jason, didn't realise the figs were available online; surprised at the number in view of the status in Collins.

But 58 of those records have been since 1996. It was a true mega before that, with the first record being as recent as 1987.

[Grousemore]

But 58 of those records have been since 1996. It was a true mega before that, with the first record being as recent as 1987.

Thanks, that makes the treatment in Collins more understandable.

[Nina P]

Last February there was a lesser scaup spotted in Devon at Bowling Green Marsh, I hadn't got a book to ID it from so wouldn't have known if I'd seen it or not, but it had been seen the same day I went there.

[RockyRacoon]

Hi Robin, I saw it yesterday, and it was right there on the exact line, on the border between Sussex and Kent, if there was a big red line, it would be sitting on it! Later it moved off, right to the Sussex end, and that's when all the Kent birders turned up!

[RockyRacoon]

Hi Nina,

There is a great photo of an Adult Male in Rob Hume's Birds of Britain and Europe, but I don't know what the female looks like, although in the text it says it resembles a female scaup.

[Binocularface]

Escapes.
Another intelligent and in depth comment from CJW ;)

[Andrew]

Trevor,

There are a few that have a regular wintering site and one comes to Dorset each winter. Can't think right now where it is but it was easy to catch up with. One came to Exminster Marshes and I would not be surprised if it returns, or at least I hope it does!

[Binocularface]

Trevor,

There are a few that have a regular wintering site and one comes to Dorset each winter. Can't think right now where it is but it was easy to catch up with. One came to Exminster Marshes and I would not be surprised if it returns, or at least I hope it does!
The Dorset bird usually winters at Studland Littlesea, not sure if it has been seen this winter though!

[Andrew]

The Dorset bird usually winters at Studland Littlesea, not sure if it has been seen this winter though!
That's it, saw it from the middle hide that is dug into the ground. Cracking bird.