First-winter Scaup re-visited by Graham Catley

In late October and early November 2001 two juvenile Scaup were documented on the web site at Barton pits, for photographs of these birds click here. It is interesting to compare the plumage and bare parts of a first-winter female that has been present at Barton from the first week of February 2002 with these autumn birds. The present bird has a very restricted white patch on the fore-crown and when sleeping it is easily passed over within the flock of Pochard that it accompanies. See the photos below of the Scaup alongside a female Pochard. The bill pattern is interesting as the black on the nail is resticted and sharply demarcated, as on an adult, but there is a paler bluish-grey band behind the nail which fades into the duller grey base. The iris is a fairly dull yellow, contrast this though with the dark iris of the female Pochards. The pattern of greyish vermiculations on the flanks and the mantle feathers is very similar to a female Pochard but of course very different to a female Tufted Duck.
This female first appeared on Water's Edge on February 7th 2002 before moving to Far Ings where it is still present as of February 28th 2002.

Graham Catley

Scaup and Pochard, Barton Pits Feb 2002 © Graham Catley 2002

Scaup and Pochard, Barton Pits Feb 2002 © Graham Catley 2002

Scaup (Female) showing bill pattern, Barton Pits Feb 2002 © Graham Catley 2002

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