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Scaup

One of our more scarce ducks is the Scaup. Numbers fluctuate annually, with no reports in some years, yet several in others. In 1997, for example, there were seven records possibly involving 24 birds, although this did include a party of 12 at Rother Valley CP briefly on 7th January of that year - the largest flock ever recorded in the area. Most records, however, are of single birds with October to January being the peak months. They can turn up more or less anywhere, with records at upland reservoirs such as Redmires, or lowland waters like RVCP and Thrybergh CP. Identification of females [especially] is not always easy. Female Tufted Ducks quite regularly show a large white facial patch, although this is usually less clean looking. And there is always the question of hybrids [with other Aythya ducks] to consider. The first winter male Scaup above was photographed at Rother Valley Country Park by Mark Reeder, on 21st January 2001. Three birds [a female, plus first-winter and adult winter males] wintered at Thrybergh CP in winter 2003-04, shots of these birds [below]  were taken variously by Martin Garner, Paul Leonard and Mike Smethurst as indicated. Last updated 1st February 2004

Immature male Scaup

Photograph Copyright © Paul Leonard

Winter male Scaup

Photographs Copyright © Mike Smethurst

Female Scaup

Photograph Copyright © Martin Garner

Immature male Scaup

Photograph Copyright © Martin Garner

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