Hooded Merganser Radipole

Just logged on to the BUBO forum for he first time.I think one's own judgement is the best policy on both the current British Hooded Merganser's records.I can almost guarantee that the BB rarities committee will hum-ha over making a decision. Proving that they are genuine vagrants or escapes from captivity is an almost immpossible task.
I am in favour of ticking the Radipole bird.Having been discovered in an exhausted state does give it some credence as having made a lengthy sea crossing.A bird just having made a short flight from the Wimborne area(one reported there in January)is highly unlikely to be in poor condition.Arriving as a 1st Winter drake and unringed does tend to favour the wild bird theory.Sceptics have commented on the birds tameness. I think our American friends can verify that in North America, Hoodies are quite approachable.During its time at Radipole, wanderlust did set it in.It flew the several miles down to Abbottsbury on a couple of occasions.Maybe this was its migration instinct kicking in in its small way? Whatever conclusion is made on this birds status,I can say its one of the highlights of my year, a real stunner. Regards all, Mike

Was the Hooded Merganser on the River Stour a 1st winter male ?

Regards

Johnny Allan

www.diporglory.co.uk

Johnny,
I do not know whether the River Stour bird was a 1st. w male.I based my comments on the assumption that a Hoodie flying the short distance to Ferrybridge was hardly unlikely to turn up exhausted.Regards, Mike

Was this bird really exhausted when it turned up ? Where did you hear this ? The first I heard of it was on Autumn Watch. Bill Oddie also said the bird had been transported to Radipole which is incorrect according to the staff at Radipole.

Kind regards

Johnny Allan

www.diporglory.co.uk

Hello Johnny,
I took it as fact that Bill Oddie was relaying the correct history of this bird on "Autumnwatch".It is a bit disconcerting that the Radipole staff are giving conflicting information.One would have expected an experienced birder like Bill to have the full history before broadcasting on national TV.I think it's a case of waiting to see what the "ten rare men" have to say after reviewing the record.Regards, Mike

Here's a different tack, why doesn't the BOU or someone publish a request in Cage & Aviary for aviculturists to ring all their stock so if any escape we can identify them as such. Even if they don't all respond it could have a big impact on reducing the amount of work the BOU have to sift through in accepting records, and save a lot of birders fuel. If approached in the right spirit I'm sure many of them would be willing to help. What does the forum think?

A polite request without any authority would probably be ignored by many. I would like to see a law enacted, requiring all birds sold in the cage or ornamental bird trade and all cage or ornamental birds privately bred in captivity to be ringed and identifiable. I believe DEFRA are now obliged to consider eradicating potentialy harmful species if they show signs of getting a foothold.

Mark Lawlor wrote: I guess that if it is to be acceptable then it needs to show a bit of migratory urge. Even if it winters in the area, so long as it doesn't stay into next summer then it may be ok - but already its a long stay for a duck in one place I'd have thought. Most long-staying ducks seem to at least wander round a bit.

I hope it is acceptable for those who've seen it cos it looks pretty awesome on the photos. And anyway, since it's on cat A, in the true BUBO Listing spirit - "Can I tick it? Yes you can!" - your list, your choice.

The American Black Duck has stayed put in Scotland for years now. If it's true, that the Dorset Hooded Merganser was found as a 1st summer, exhausted and in a drain, unringed. Why has nobody formally submitted it? Surely it has a case for consideration if the Black Duck has been accepted already?

Good point about the Black Duck in Scotland.

I thought the Radipole Hooded Merganser was submitted, BBRC's decision was 'Not Proven' but also stated "make your own mind up".

Basically, they admitted there was no way of them knowing either way. So they said "Not Proven" (rejected it).

Its still on my list as I feel it should be given the benefit of doubt, but I have seen an accepted one since.

Interesting that at least a couple of birds are currently being reported. I think it is fair to say that at one point, it was deemed unlikely they could make it here.