TBOSG     Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis

As a result of escapes from wildfowl collections Ruddy Duck are now established as a breeding bird in Great Britain from where they have spread widely into Europe. Its aggressive courting behaviour and willingness to interbreed with the endangered native White-headed Duck of southern Europe is a cause of some concern therefore and due to this there is now a controversial scheme to extirpate the Ruddy Duck as a British breeding species.

Earliest: January 1st 1996 at Northwick Warth.

Latest: December 31st 1995 at Northwick Warth.

Highest Count: Seven on January 3rd 1997 at Aust Warth.

There have been around thirty-five Ruddy Duck reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;

2004: (1)

One was observed at New Passage on October 28th.

2002: (1)

One, a female, was watched on June 14th on Orchard Pools near Severn Beach.

2000: (1)

One on February 6th was noted at Tortworth Lake.

1999: (1)

A male was seen on April 23rd on Severnside.

1998: (3)

A male and female were seen on May 4th on Severnside; A male was noted on August 29th on Severnside.

1997: (7)

Seven were seen on January 3rd at Aust Warth (including four males) this remains the regions highest count; On January 3rd at Severn Beach a female was present until January 16th, it was joined by another male and female on January 6th.

1996: (1)

A male present on December 31st 1995 at Northwick Warth was still present on January 1st.

1995: (1)

A male was seen on December 31st at Northwick Warth.

1992: (1)

A 1st winter male was seen on January 11th at Northwick Warth.

1991: (7)

Two, both female on February 10th at Oldbury Power Station were on the tidal reservoir; There were five birds on February 10th at New Passage with three seen again on February 14th.

1988: (1)

A female was observed on September 20th at Aust Warth.

1986: (1)

One was see off New Passage sometime in February.

1985: (1)

On January 12th a single bird was watched at Northwick Warth.

1984: (3)

The two birds found on February 19th at Oldbury Power Station and were present until February 23rd; One was seen at Oldbury Power Station on March 3rd.

1982: (1)

A single bird was reported off Severn Beach on December 3rd.

1981: (2)

Two males were reported on the R. Severn off New Passage on November 6th.

1979: (2)

Two were reported from Aust Warth on January 6th. This occurrence constitutes the first report of the species in S. Gloucestershire.

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