Aythya hybrid in Dumfries & Galloway

Illustrating a potential pitfall, this presumed Tufted Duck x Scaup at Castle Loch was originally identified as a drake Lesser Scaup.


Note the head shape, the much finer vermiculations and the large black nail on the tip of the bill, all helping to eliminate Lesser Scaup. Photos by Jim Woods.

Waxwing in Derbyshire

Some more excellent shots of Allerstree's Waxwing taken last week by Glyn Sellors.

Black-bellied Dipper in Yorkshire

An excellent shot of Watton's Black-bellied Dipper by Simon Mitchie on 19th February. This, the nominate cinclus, lacks the chestnut band shown at the base of the white bib by our resident British birds and has proved to be popular with birders over its 9 day stay.

Yellow-legged Gull, Stockton-on-Tees

Still quite a rare bird in north-east England, though this adult Yellow-legged Gull has now been hanging about at the Tees Barrage for quite a long time. Photos by Tristan Reid.





Tristan's website:

http://www.atricillaimages.co.uk/

Waxwing in Derbyshire

Waxwings have been quite thin on the ground this winter, so a bird showing well in Allestree on Ferrers Way near to the Methodists church has attracted a constant stream of admirers. All photographs by Glyn Sellors:

Ferruginous Duck, Derbyshire

Originally at the old American Adventure Park near Heanor, this immaculate drake Ferruginous Duck relocated to nearby Loscoe Dam, allowing Glyn Sellors to take these pin sharp images. Interestingly a 1st-winter or female bird was recently found not a million miles away in Nottinghamshire, only that bird has turned out to be a fence-hopping escapee bearing a yellow ring on its right leg... so always double check!

Gulls in Galway taken by Glyn Sellors February 2008

Adult American Herring gull Nimmo's Pier

1st Winter American Herring gull Nimmo's Pier

Adult Ring-billed gull Nimmo's Pier

Adult Ring-billed gull Nimmo's Pier

2nd Winter Kumlien's gull Rossaveal harbour

Adult Iceland gull Nimmo's pier

Adult Iceland gull Nimmo's pier

2nd Winter Iceland gull Nimmo's pier

1st Winter Iceland gull Nimmo's pier

2nd Winter Glaucous gull Nimmo's pier

1st Winter Iceland gull Rossaveal

1st Winter Iceland gull Rossaveal

White-crowned Sparrow

It's still there and, as John Miller's latest great photo shows, still showing well. Over £4000 has now been raised for the Cley church restoration fund. The moral of the story? Next time a non-birding friend tells you that they've seen a "funny bird" in their garden, try not to instantly dismiss it as a Jay!