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Fledgling666 · Monday 21st March 2011, 10:40

I stopped at the QE2 lake yesterday near Ashington and among the Goldeneyes was either a female Goosander or RB Merganser. The light was dim and it was quite far off.

What is the most likely ?

Thanks

Adam W · Monday 21st March 2011, 11:08

There were a few Gooseanders there when i was there a couple of weeks ago and that would be most likely but that said Merganser would be by no means impossible.

Blythman · Monday 21st March 2011, 11:23

Mergansers at Cresswell

woodhornbirder · Monday 21st March 2011, 15:02

been upto 5 goosander on qe2 over last 5weeks

Fledgling666 · Monday 21st March 2011, 15:44

Thanks guys.
I just wish it had been a male bird !
Never mind, must work harder at my identification skills !!!

Gill Osborne · Friday 25th March 2011, 18:46

Don't worry - I've been birding since 1983 and still have to mentally go through all the id pointers for a few seconds when it comes to the females of these two species!

Fledgling666 · Tuesday 29th March 2011, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill Osborne

Don't worry - I've been birding since 1983 and still have to mentally go through all the id pointers for a few seconds when it comes to the females of these two species!

Thanks Gill,
It is hard work to try and 'raise the game' to identify the less obvious birds ! If there were no Female, Juvenile or winter plumage things would be a lot easier

(I will not even mention the Warblers !).

Terry

Monday 21st March 2011, 10:40	#1
Fledgling666 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Newcastle Posts: 13	QE2 lake - RB Merganser or Goosander ? I stopped at the QE2 lake yesterday near Ashington and among the Goldeneyes was either a female Goosander or RB Merganser. The light was dim and it was quite far off. What is the most likely ? Thanks

Monday 21st March 2011, 11:23	#3
Blythman Alan Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: BLYTH, NORTHUMBERLAND Posts: 14	Mergansers at Cresswell __________________ Alan

Friday 25th March 2011, 18:46	#6
Gill Osborne Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alnwick Posts: 6,012	Don't worry - I've been birding since 1983 and still have to mentally go through all the id pointers for a few seconds when it comes to the females of these two species!
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Monday 21st March 2011, 11:08	#2
Adam W Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: sunderland Posts: 4,109	There were a few Gooseanders there when i was there a couple of weeks ago and that would be most likely but that said Merganser would be by no means impossible.

Monday 21st March 2011, 15:02	#4
woodhornbirder Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: northumberland Posts: 1,523	been upto 5 goosander on qe2 over last 5weeks

Monday 21st March 2011, 15:44	#5
Fledgling666 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Newcastle Posts: 13	Thanks guys. I just wish it had been a male bird ! Never mind, must work harder at my identification skills !!!

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