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Message: <blockquote data-quote="John Cantelo" data-source="post: 1417453" data-attributes="member: 2844">I'd prefer to call it 'reasonable speculation' rather  than 'unproven assumptions'!It seems pretty clear that the vast bulk of Europe's Ruddy Ducks originate from the UK and it's beyond doubt that these birds disperse in the winter.  In the absence of ringing recoveries, we cannot 'know' that the increasing numbers recorded in Europe originate from our population, but this looks like the best available explanation.  Hence the appearance of Ruddy Ducks in Spain and, as I understand it, their subsequent disappearance in spring/summer (unless they're all shot!) fits with the idea that genuine WHD might tag along with them back here.  However, I don't think this idea is necessary for accepting the genuine vagrancy of WHD.  By the nature of their somewhat emphemeral habitat this species tends to be something of a wanderer and wandering that little way over the Channel seems no big deal,</blockquote>