Wood Ducks wild in the UK? (1 Viewer)

[Beany Birder]

Hi there

I read in a bird book recently that there was now a wild/feral population of Wood Ducks living in the UK, specifically in Surrey and Berkshire. Obviously these originated from escapees/deliberate releases, but are now legitimately being acknowledged as a wild, self-sustaining population, just like the Mandarin duck population is.

Does anyone know anything more about this?

Thanks in advance
Beany

 

[bfoutch]

Here is some information from the web:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2008/04/22/north_american_wood_duck_feature.shtml
Read the comments for locations of sightings (circa 2010).

I have also attached a PDF file from nonnativespecies.org for you. It has a map showing locations where sightings of pairs have been recorded.

 

[Richard Klim]

Holling et al 2014. Non-native breeding birds in the UK, 2009–11. Brit Birds 107(3): 122–141.

Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Occasional breeder (breeding confirmed in 7 of the last 10 years) – 5-yr mean 4 breeding pairs; stable – Category E*
2009 Three pairs. 2010 Three pairs. 2011 Three pairs.
Breeding occurred in Wiltshire again in 2009 (two pairs), but not in 2010, and by 2011 only a single bird remained. A female with six ducklings in Norfolk in 2009 was evidence of confirmed breeding in that county, but it was not repeated. In Cambridgeshire, a pair bred in both 2010 and 2011; in both cases a nest with eggs was reported. Another nest with eggs was found in Nottinghamshire in 2010, while in 2011 a brood of young was reported in Berkshire. Also in 2011, a pair in suitable habitat was noted in Hertfordshire.

 

[Beany Birder]

Thanks a lot both. Great to learn more about this.

Wow reading those sightings in the comments shows many have been spotted and very interesting to see that breeding attempts have been made.

I guess the comment from your PDF bfoutch sums it up though:

"The species is commonly kept in captivity, and although individuals have escaped, wood duck has yet to establish a sustainable population."

 

[Nutcracker]

Here is some information from the web:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2008/04

"It's been papped in Swindon and iDed in Salisbury... but have you seen it?"

"papped"??! :h?:

 

[bfoutch]

http://www.magpienest.org/feathersofhope/289/hijacking-a-birder
"Richard introduced us to a British birding term: “papped.” The scissor-tailed flycatcher got papped this morning (from “papparazzied,” photographed to excess)."

 

[Nutcracker]

http://www.magpienest.org/feathersofhope/289/hijacking-a-birder
"Richard introduced us to a British birding term: “papped.” The scissor-tailed flycatcher got papped this morning (from “papparazzied,” photographed to excess)."

New to me! Though pretty obvious, really 3

 

[Farnboro John]

New to me! Though pretty obvious, really 3

I should say this is a British term but not a birding term. Nor indeed would I want to see it claimed as such.

John

 

[Tiraya]

Some might say many birders don't want to recognize the photographers at all...

In fairness "true" birding arose from binoculars and notes, not cameras.

 

[Farnboro John]

Some might say many birders don't want to recognize the photographers at all...

In fairness "true" birding arose from binoculars and notes, not cameras.

I'm not sure where you are going with this, or indeed what "true birding" is in this very wide hobby. Bird identification and recording as such certainly began with guns, not binoculars.

Nowadays, a photograph is acceptable as evidence of an extreme rarity whereas notes are not. Non-photographers, in serious birding terms, are obsolete. Shame.

John

 

[bfoutch]

Some might say many birders don't want to recognize the photographers at all...

In fairness "true" birding arose from binoculars and notes, not cameras.

What in the world is "true" birding? Considering the many different ways that people who identify as birders and bird watchers enjoy birds, I do not think this term has any meaning. If you expand a bit to include the field of ornithology, both professional and amateur, I am pretty sure you could rightfully say that birding arose from the muzzle of a shotgun.

So, instead of promoting an us versus them mentality, perhaps it would be better to educate and promote responsible codes of ethics for every birder to follow, no matter the method they choose to enjoy the hobby. This is certainly being done and such codes are easily available on the Internet, as these example show:

http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html

http://www.audublog.org/?p=8351

Sorry if this seems like a rant, although I suspect it probably is.

 

[bfoutch]

I began leaving my camera at home and just use binoculars these days. But, I have a great respect for many of the fine bird photographers, both past and present. Speaking of arose from, a quick google search shows just how far back bird photography was practiced.

http://www.zpc-naturefolio.org.uk/history.html

http://www.kerryperkinsphotography.com/p960589201

Also, a PDF from Australia:

 

[Farnboro John]

What in the world is "true" birding? Considering the many different ways that people who identify as birders and bird watchers enjoy birds, I do not think this term has any meaning. If you expand a bit to include the field of ornithology, both professional and amateur, I am pretty sure you could rightfully say that birding arose from the muzzle of a shotgun.

So, instead of promoting an us versus them mentality, perhaps it would be better to educate and promote responsible codes of ethics for every birder to follow, no matter the method they choose to enjoy the hobby. This is certainly being done and such codes are easily available on the Internet, as these example show:

http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html

http://www.audublog.org/?p=8351

Sorry if this seems like a rant, although I suspect it probably is.

Actually your post reads like common sense, especially compared to Silverwolf's and mine: for which I can only plead that it was the end of a long week. Normally I like to promote togetherness among birders o

John

 

[Tiraya]

Was just going off personal experience! Perhaps I will meet birders who don't give funny looks when I turn up in the hide one day. I've had several conversations with birders, one person in particular who said I was a disgrace to birding and photographers should be banned from the hobby. My favourite conversation though was with a guy at Portland obs though who insisted that bird photographers should get a life and a proper hobby like "normal" birdwatchers :t:

I don't doubt there aren't birders who appreciate the photography aspect I've just never met them. I only seem to meet the grumpy birders!

Anyway, I digress. That isn't the topic to discuss here.

That's interesting that wood ducks are Cat E. I didn't think they were that naturalized yet.

 

[Farnboro John]

Was just going off personal experience! Perhaps I will meet birders who don't give funny looks when I turn up in the hide one day. I've had several conversations with birders, one person in particular who said I was a disgrace to birding and photographers should be banned from the hobby. My favourite conversation though was with a guy at Portland obs though who insisted that bird photographers should get a life and a proper hobby like "normal" birdwatchers :t:

I don't doubt there aren't birders who appreciate the photography aspect I've just never met them. I only seem to meet the grumpy birders!

Oh mate.... did I get the wrong end of the stick from your post!

Welcome to the corps of birder-photographers, otherwise known as the leper colony. Once you pick up a camera ("normal birders" think this is spelt "chimaera") it doesn't matter how many years of experience you have - you have joined the Sith.

Still, its safe to say that black is a subdued colour....

All the best

Darth John

 

[Richard Klim]

That's interesting that wood ducks are Cat E. I didn't think they were that naturalized yet.

Category E:

Species that have been recorded as introductions, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Species in Category E that have bred in the wild in Britain are designated as E*. Category E species form no part of the British List (unless already included within Categories A, B or C).

...ie, non-naturalized.

 

[Tiraya]

Category E:

...ie, non-naturalized.

Still, they could be way less "naturalized", in that there could be no stable breeding pairs at all.

As you might have guessed I perhaps don't make my point perfectly clear straight away

 

[West End Birder]

Welcome to the corps of birder-photographers, otherwise known as the leper colony

Oh I must have missed the promotion announcement



I do hate the AK47 impressions which invade my enjoyment of the birdwatching these days, but then I like looking at the results, so kind of caught between a Rock Thrush and a hard place!