Lesser Scaup Cheddar Reservoir 25th March 2007

Somersets first Lesser Scaup was discovered on Saturday 24th March 07 by 2 people independantly. It gave great views on the south side of the reservoir having been forched there by sail boats. The bird is almost certainly the same bird seen at Blagdon. I tried to capture some shots showing the identification features. The black on the nail of the bill is confined to the nail and not spreading as in Greater Scaup. The white in the wing bar is confined to the arm of the wing and grey on the hand. The Greater Scaup shows white in the hand too. The Lesser Scaup shows heavier barring on the mantle making it appear darker than the Greater Scaup. The head shape is different also with Lesser Scaup having a small peak at the rear of the head.