TBOSG     Scaup - Aythya marila

Greater Scaup or Scaup is a small diving duck. It breeds on the ground by lakes and bogs on the tundra and at the northern limits of the boreal forest across the Arctic and sub-arctic regions of northern North America, Europe and Asia. Its name appears to have several origins; It may come from its display call 'scaup-scaup', or perhaps from the Scottish word 'scalp'  referring to a bed of mussels from its habit of feeding on shellfish. Some historical names for Scaup include; Green-headed Diver, Blue Neb, Grey-backed Curre, Dun Bird and Covie Duck.

Earliest: January 3rd 1997 off New Passage.

Latest: December 24th 1994 off Severn Beach.

Highest Count: Six on March 1st 1986 off Severn Beach.

There have been around forty Scaup reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;

2006: (4)

Four 1st winter's were seen off Severn Beach on September 3rd.

2001: (2)

Two, a male and female were located on October 29th off Northwick Warth.

1999: (2)

Two, a male and female were located on August 28th off Severn Beach.

1997: (4)

A male was seen on January 3rd off New Passage; Three males were watched on February 4th off Severn Beach in flight heading north.

1994: (3)

One, a female was found on August 13th off Severn Beach and remained in the area until August 16th; On October 1st a female was seen off Severn Beach and was present until October 7th; A male was found on December 24th off Severn Beach.

1993: (1)

A female was noted on August 18th off Severn Beach.

1992: (1)

On February 12th a male was watched in flight heading south off Aust Warth.

1991: (1)

On October 11th a female was found off Aust Warth.

1989: (1)

One, a female was located on October 19th off New Passage, it was present until October 30th.

1988: (6)

Four, all males were seen on July 8th at New Passage, all four were present until July 11th with two remaining until July 13th; One, a female was seen on October 29th at Severn Beach, it was joined by a second female on October 31st and both were present until November 20th.

1987: (2)

Two, a male and female were noted on April 19th off Severn Beach.

1986: (6)

Six were sighted on March 1st off Severn Beach, the party included five males. This remains the regions highest count.

1985: (1)

On September 7th an individual was found off Northwick Warth.

1980: (3)

Three females were identified off Northwick Warth and Severn Beach and were present from October 26th until November 2nd with two lingering until December 8th.

1972: (1)

A male was reported from Littleton Pits on April 2nd.

1938: (1)

On April 25th one was observed at Severn Beach and remained in the area until May 1st. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species in S. Gloucestershire.

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