The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Reported by: Matthew Harrison

Species Information: Ring-necked Duck

Location Information: Apex Pit, North Hykeham

Bird Information: Local patch watching paid off today when I found a drake Ring-necked Duck in the north-west corner of Apex Pit, North Hykeham at 1315 and was still present and showing well at 1350. Initially presumed to be the bird relocating from Kirkby, however comparing notes I made of that bird on the 31st October there are diferrences in the areas of 'dusky' markings on the flanks which may point to a different bird. The differences could of course just be attributed to moult. Either way a cracking find on the local patch and certainly brightened up the morning.

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Andrew Chick
Website: http://www.forktail.co.uk/

Hi all

This report came in too late for me to check it out in person, and I'm unaware of anyone else who had time before it started to get dark.

For those interested in looking tomorrow you may find the following useful:

Access to Apex Pit has become a little more difficult since an imposing gate was installed at the road entrance next to the Fox and Hounds pub. Please do not drive through this gate (even if you find it open) otherwise you will stand a very good chance of getting locked in. Access is for fishing club and sailing club members only. I have a very good working relationship with the fishing club, sailing club and the landowner Cemex, so please do not spoil this for me! The best access is to park at Whisby (a parking charge of £1.00 applies between 10.00am and 4.00pm) and take the Teal Lake walk. In the south west corner of Teal Lake cross over the Pike Drain and you will be in the north west corner of Apex which is where this bird was reported from.

I'll be there first thing and will update accordingly.

Regards

Grahame Hopwood
Assistant Warden
Whisby

Relocated today on Grebe Lake Whisby NR, also Yellow Legged Gull present.

Russell Hayes, Chris Grimshaw, Grahame Hopwood, Dean & Nicola Nicholson & Dave Jenkins

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http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.com/

The Ring-necked Duck was still showing well from 12.45 -13.45 today (Sun). It was mainly associating with Tufted Ducks towards the far eastern bank of Grebe Lake. Only a few birders still present in the Hide - with only myself and John Harriman left by 13.45.

Regards,

Freddy

Still present on Grebe Lake at 3:00 pm

Also Common Buzzard over and adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Male Red-crested Pochard in NE corner of Apex Pit.

Regards,

Colin and Sheila

A good team effort this morning by those listed under Russell's post ensured the R-n Duck was fairly quickly re-located (there are a lot of waterbodies at Whisby and N Hykeham!) by Russell and Chris at the eastern end of Grebe Lake. It showed well for the rest of the day, so hopefully will stay here, as access and viewing is considerably easier. The general feeling from those I spoke to today is that this bird is different from that at Kirkby recently, but any further thoughts would be welcomed.

I'll update tomorrow as soon as I'm able for those still interested, unless someone beats me to it!

Many thanks for everyones help today.

Regards

Grahame

Hi Graham

The bird certainly looks different in certain aspects of plumage the Kirkby bird from comparison of photos, but assuming it is the same bird, it has moulted into full splendour since it was first seen as a fairly scraggy individual.

I remember how rapidly the Gib bird transformed from 'ugly-duckling' status once it's moult got underway although that had to cope with adolescence opposed to eclipse!

Also, maybe of relevance, note the faint white markings around the birds nostrils shown on Whisby and Kirkby pics.

Cheers

Kev

My first thoughts on seeing the bird in the field was that it must be a different bird, but having compared photos taken of both birds there are some striking similarities especially around the white bill markings and nostrils. If this does turn out to be the same bird it has certainly changed very quickly into a splendid looking bird.

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http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.com/

Negative news, no sign of the bird this morning on Grebe Lake. However, it may still be around on one of the other waterbodies!

Last night we produced a side by side comparison of the bill pattern from both the Whisby and Kirkby individuals, and the markings (particularly the white around the nostrils) are identical on both birds. In addition there is also a faint black line that runs through the distal white band on the bill that is apparent on both sets of photos. If this isn’t sheer co-incidence then it does tend to indicate that the two birds are one and the same. However, the jurys still out with this one................

Regards

Grahame