Scaup

[Merlin]

Rolf (in particular) these are a couple of drake Scaup I photographed today.

You remember I suggested looking through the 'tufties' for them as they often attach themselves to them. As you see they are very much like the 'tufties' the best detail to seperate them by is the upperparts, they also lack the tuft, and are slightly more bulky.

The image is heavily cropped so not the best pic in the world.

Pete.

[rolf]

Thanks Pete, will hopefully be over at Moor Green Lakes on Thursday, so will put the big lens on and have a really good look out for them.

[Chocky]

Nice captures Pete.

I saw some today at Moor Green Lakes but they were too far out for my lens

[rolf]

Scaup or Tufted Beryl?

[Chocky]

Actually I was just thinking that my self, they were too far out to say really. I expect they were Tufted daffy ducks

[Merlin]

Worth remembering Beryl the Scaup isn't all that common but not all that rare either if you see what I mean. An easily overlooked bird if you're not 'on the ball' and makes 'birding' all the more interesting to find something a little different.

Pete.

[Chocky]

Yes. Thank you Pete.
Hopefully we will find out on Thursday. Rolf has a big lens. I have left my bins at home in Exmouth and my son has non. I may buy a pair tomorrow if we go shopping