Stuart Darbyshire
45th generation Northern
There has been quite a bit said about this bird currently at Marshside RSPB, one side saying pure Ross's (including a few American birders), the other Ross's/Snow Hybrid.
It is slightly larger than a mallard, so size is ok, but to me the bill looks on the large side and the head appears too flat and not the usual rounded shape (although 1st winter birds do seem flatter headed in the images I've seen online)
Origin aside, from a personal education point of view, I'd be interested to see what others think - especially anyone who has sees these birds on a regular basis.
It is slightly larger than a mallard, so size is ok, but to me the bill looks on the large side and the head appears too flat and not the usual rounded shape (although 1st winter birds do seem flatter headed in the images I've seen online)
Origin aside, from a personal education point of view, I'd be interested to see what others think - especially anyone who has sees these birds on a regular basis.