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Haggis Hunter Founder member
Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2487 Location: The building site formally known as Edinburgh!
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: Quack Quack |
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Another sighting that I have had today, and I can't find it in the bird book that I now own.
Walking down the Water of Leith today, near Saughton Prison. I saw a duck that had a complete white body and wings, black back, dark green head and long beak, but didn't look billed shaped.
It looked as though it may have been hunting as it was allowing the river to take it downstream whilst facing upstream, it would then fly back up river and start again. I got a couple of pictures but couldn't get close enough for a good shot.
Any ideas anyone?
_________________ Let me know if I say anything that offends you
I might want to offend you again later |
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allieballie Founder member
Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 296 Location: Fife
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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Gooseander? _________________ Only dead fish swim with the stream |
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Wildlifewriter Founder member
Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Norn Iron
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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AB is correct. (Spelling apart.)
This is a Goosander mergus merganser, and it is a male. At this time of year, the sides and underparts would be tinged pink if you were able to see them.
Goosander are a Scots speciality. It's not so long ago that breeding pairs were found nowhere else, though they're a bit more widespread these days.
-Wlw |
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Haggis Hunter Founder member
Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2487 Location: The building site formally known as Edinburgh!
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for identifying the duck/goose? Which one is it?
Charlotte from the Water of Leith* said the same, and they are apparently common on the river at this time of year.
*The Water of Leith Conservation Trust like rare sightings to be reported, especially sightings of the Kingfisher. As I never had a clue what it was, I reported it as a sighting. _________________ Let me know if I say anything that offends you
I might want to offend you again later |
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Wildlifewriter Founder member
Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Norn Iron
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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Haggis Hunter wrote: | Thank you for identifying the duck/goose? Which one is it? |
Despite the name, it's a duck.
The odd-looking beak is typical of a class of waterfowl called "sawbills", which have serrated edges to the inside of the bill. Presumably, this helps them to hold on to a slippery wee fish after catching one.
Other ducks of this type include Merganser and Smew. (If you sight a Smew along the WOL, report it immediately. )
-Wlw |
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HighlandNick Founder member
Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 635 Location: Highlands, Scotland
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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I was down at the river yesterday - I saw this strange animal. Now I have been trained as an artist, so I made a quick sketch.
But I don't know what it is. Any ideas???
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Firth of Forth Founder member
Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 1493 Location: East Lothian, Scotland
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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It's rabuck _________________ Utterly smitten by a Captain
And now Mrs Aubrey |
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Wildlifewriter Founder member
Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Norn Iron
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:36 am Post subject: |
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The beast depicted seems to have characteristics belonging to ducks, ferrets and hares.
This means that it's either a Herret, a Dare, or a F (that's quite enough, thank you - Admin.)
-Wlw |
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