Andy Musgrove
Well-known member
Hi all
Steve Dudley and I are trying to find out something about the status of Muscovy Ducks in the Lowestoft area. Wetland Bird Survey counts from the mid-90s include up to 102 birds on Oulton Broad/Lake Lothing. "Birds of Suffolk" mentions that there were substantial numbers in the Lothing area. The annual Suffolk Bird report for 1999 says that the species was thriving in the Lowestoft area. However, since then, there have been only a handful of birds reported from there in Suffolk Bird Reports.
I don't visit the area all that frequently, but have had a quick look on several occasions in recent years and don't recall seeing any Muscovies around Oulton or Lothing (not that I was particularly searching for them).
So, it's a bit of a mystery. Can any Lowestoft locals shed any light on this? Are they still around? If not, did they decline naturally, or could they perhaps have been culled?
Any info gratefully received.
Best wishes
Andy Musgrove
BTO
Steve Dudley and I are trying to find out something about the status of Muscovy Ducks in the Lowestoft area. Wetland Bird Survey counts from the mid-90s include up to 102 birds on Oulton Broad/Lake Lothing. "Birds of Suffolk" mentions that there were substantial numbers in the Lothing area. The annual Suffolk Bird report for 1999 says that the species was thriving in the Lowestoft area. However, since then, there have been only a handful of birds reported from there in Suffolk Bird Reports.
I don't visit the area all that frequently, but have had a quick look on several occasions in recent years and don't recall seeing any Muscovies around Oulton or Lothing (not that I was particularly searching for them).
So, it's a bit of a mystery. Can any Lowestoft locals shed any light on this? Are they still around? If not, did they decline naturally, or could they perhaps have been culled?
Any info gratefully received.
Best wishes
Andy Musgrove
BTO