Ruddy ducks

[watsthat]

I haven`t seen a ruddy duck this year. Is it due to culling? We miss their entertaining behaviour but it will be worth it when White headed ducks start to turn up.... won`t it?


Pete

[Pete Collins]

There were at least a couple of Ruddy Ducks at Wilstone Reservoir, near Tring, Herts., on Wednesday. Somebody asked a similar question not too long ago, because I remember saying that I'd seen 13 at Wilstone Reservoir a few days earlier.

[sleipnerofasgard]

saw two pair at marshside today,who exactly are doing the culling?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by sleipnerofasgard

saw two pair at marshside today,who exactly are doing the culling?

Marksmen employed by DEFRA are contracted to do the culling.

I've only seen one pair so far this year + won't be disclosing the location!

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Marksmen employed by DEFRA are contracted to do the culling.

I've only seen one pair so far this year + won't be disclosing the location!

Out of interest are they allowed to cull in reserves ?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Out of interest are they allowed to cull in reserves ?

The RSPB + WWT support the cull so has occured on some of there reserves but I believe at least a couple of the local Wildlife Trusts have refused access to their sites for culling. A contentious issue which has been much debated so won't reignite the flames!

[Goatboy]

I saw one on an RSPB reserve yesterday.

The whole issue raises interesting questions. Every species on this planet (including us) is here as a result of different species cross-breeding and then in turn, others becoming extinct. Should humans really try to stop it happening? Are we saving an endangered species or storing up problems for the future by interrupting the natural evolution process?

Difficult.

Personally, I think I'd rather see DEFRA helping more species that are threatened by man-made issues than by evolutionary ones. I'm sure other people will see it differently though. I'd be interested to hear their views as I may have missed some valuable points in the debate.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Goatboy

Personally, I think I'd rather see DEFRA helping more species that are threatened by man-made issues than by evolutionary ones. I'm sure other people will see it differently though. I'd be interested to hear their views as I may have missed some valuable points in the debate.

Without going over the whole issue again as it has been done quite thoroughly in another thread, this is a man-made issue as Ruddy Ducks wouldn't have come across the White-headed Ducks if they hadn't been introduced into this country in the first place. The rest, as they say, is history. Personally I think they should get rid of the RDs they find in the W-h Ducks' home range.

Cheers,

Adam

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Goatboy

I saw one on an RSPB reserve yesterday.

The whole issue raises interesting questions. Every species on this planet (including us) is here as a result of different species cross-breeding and then in turn, others becoming extinct. Should humans really try to stop it happening? Are we saving an endangered species or storing up problems for the future by interrupting the natural evolution process?

Difficult.

Personally, I think I'd rather see DEFRA helping more species that are threatened by man-made issues than by evolutionary ones. I'm sure other people will see it differently though. I'd be interested to hear their views as I may have missed some valuable points in the debate.

It is a man made problem, white headed duck would never have met the ruddy duck if we hadn't brought them over to Europe kept them in collections and then let them escape - I feel the white headed-duck is doomed directly as a result.