Continental Europe escapee - Fulvous Whistling-Duck in CH (1 Viewer)

[AlexC]

Saw and photographed a Fulvous Whistling-Duck on Lake Lugano in Switzerland today - I did some digging online and found years of photos of a bird at the same location - assumedly this same individual. I'm interested if anyone has information on the frequency of escapee Fulvous Whistling-Ducks in Europe. Not countable, by my take.

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Saw one on a small creek just short of the sea near Prestatyn (north Wales), ermm, 10 - 15 years back. Can't be any more specific I'm afraid, but it gets the ball rolling...

James

 

[lewis20126]

3 were at Titchfield Haven, Hampshire for many years, 1 was still present last year at least.

cheers, alan

 

[Tiraya]

Compared to other duck species are these quite common in captivity? I'm not sure I've ever seen one in captivity.

 

[Brosnabirder]

There's been one in Geneva too since at least October 2013. Different bird as seen on same day as Lugano bird more than once.

 

[Andy Hurley]

http://www.gobirding.eu/Photos/FulvousWhistlingDuck.php

 

[Neil Morris]

Ditto one in Sussex (Weir Wood) mid-80s. It certainly used to be a popular 'wildfowl park' captive.

 

[dantheman]

There's a nice little flock on Teneriffe on one of the golf courses - considered to be escapees, although don't know if their origin was ever fully confirmed.

Don't know if there are any extralimital records from the Med/N Africa

 

[Swannery Steve]

A pair of unknown origin (but no doubt escapes) were present at Abbotsbury, Dorset in the early 80's and they reared at least one brood. One was still present into the late 80's,

Steve.

 

[dantheman]

btw, what does the CH in the thread title refer to?

 

[wintibird]

Did some digging on ornitho.ch, Alex. Your bird is present since February 2009! In the last 5 years single birds were seen at six locations in Switzerland.
They are commonly kept in captivity.
The Ticino is well known for category E birds. I once saw a Green Jay near Locarno!

André

 

[wintibird]

btw, what does the CH in the thread title refer to?

CH = Confoederatio Helvetica = Switzerland

(and an educational bit: For historical reasons, Switzerland's official name is still the "Swiss Confederation". In Latin this is Confoederatio Helvetica, from which the country's international abbreviation, CH, is derived. However, this is in fact a misnomer: a confederation is an alliance of autonomous entities. Since 1848 Switzerland has been a federation: a grouping of entities with a central authority.
The word Helvetica refers to the Helvetians, one of the many Celtic tribes living in what is now Switzerland at the time of the Roman conquest.)

André

 

[Richard Prior]

CH = Confoederatio Helvetica = Switzerland

(and an educational bit: For historical reasons, Switzerland's official name is still the "Swiss Confederation". In Latin this is Confoederatio Helvetica, from which the country's international abbreviation, CH, is derived. However, this is in fact a misnomer: a confederation is an alliance of autonomous entities. Since 1848 Switzerland has been a federation: a grouping of entities with a central authority.
The word Helvetica refers to the Helvetians, one of the many Celtic tribes living in what is now Switzerland at the time of the Roman conquest.)

André

I reckon Dan was hoping it stood for CHeese, mmm, smell that fondue bubbling away

 

[MJB]

I reckon Dan was hoping it stood for CHeese, mmm, smell that fondue bubbling away

Is your middle name Wallace?
MJB

 

[MJB]

CH = Confoederatio Helvetica = Switzerland

(and an educational bit: For historical reasons, Switzerland's official name is still the "Swiss Confederation". In Latin this is Confoederatio Helvetica, from which the country's international abbreviation, CH, is derived. However, this is in fact a misnomer: a confederation is an alliance of autonomous entities. Since 1848 Switzerland has been a federation: a grouping of entities with a central authority.
The word Helvetica refers to the Helvetians, one of the many Celtic tribes living in what is now Switzerland at the time of the Roman conquest.)

André

Nice one, André, and for Dan's further elucidation, that's why 'CH' appears on Swiss vehicles' nationality plate...:t:
MJB

 

[Andy Hurley]

Nice one, André, and for Dan's further elucidation, that's why 'CH' appears on Swiss vehicles' nationality plate...:t:
MJB

That's as far as my knowledge went prior to André's explanation CH is for Switzerland as D is for Deutschland etc.

 

[Richard Prior]

Is your middle name Wallace?
MJB

Close, it's William - but I do like a nice bit of Gorgonzola it's true (Wensleydale not being available in these parts ).

 

[dantheman]

CHeers Andre.

After posting I had an inkling CH might be on the number plates - but never having driven further east in mainland Europe than France, didn't know for sure. Helvetica rings a bell from Asterix, although might just be imagining that.

 

[Richard Prior]

CHeers Andre.

After posting I had an inkling CH might be on the number plates - but never having driven further west in mainland europe than France, didn't know for sure. Helvetica rings a bell from Asterix, although might just be imagining that.

No you didn't imagine it Dan, Astérix in Switzerland (1973) is titled 'Astérix chez les Helvètes' in French, a corking yarn involving Astérix and Obelix going to the Alps to search for an Edelweiss, needed for one of Panoramix's potions.................... As you can probably tell, it's a quiet birding day here today :-C

 

[dantheman]

There's worse things one could be doing than genning up on a bit of Asterix or Tintin ... I'm cooking dinner and meant to be doing lots of Very Important Paperwork.

(Investigating Fulvous and chapter on wandering Whistling Ducks might be a slightly more worthwhile pursuit mind).