Canvasback - nosterfield

Any thoughts on this bird? I have seen it and there are pics on the ebirder blog ( www.ebirder.net ). There is a blemmish on the beak although it has impossible to say how this has occured. It seems too irregular to be a band as with a true hybrid but it does seem there is something there. Possibly a scratch. We noticed some behavioural differences and the structural details. I wonder if it is going to get submitted.

Any thoughts?

I think just as interesting is where did this bird go in the 10 days or so between its 2 brief sightings. It was seen for a few hours on 2 afternoons but disappeard each time overnight. And of course, where is it now? How well watched is Nosterfield? It seems a big site within in a relatively low population density area. Could the bird be a more frequent visitor than has been reported?

Dave

Good question. Rumours are rife that the bird has been present intermittently but has been supressed. Maybe just rumours. Many of the birders are part of the Farnham triangle ( P Diver suppression fame) who apparently have scant reqard for the news services. Most other Yorks birders only find out about stuff from there and Hay a Park in the annual report. Nosterfield does have a better record for putting stuff out.

As for open water in the area with pochard on - the choices are endless.