?sea ducks South of Brid

riggy · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 04:53 PM

Hello
Had a great few days at Barmston Beach just south of Bridlington.
Saw this bunch of ?ducks flying over the sea then forming a raft. Sorry about the folowing rubish pics (of course they could be Mallards as I am sure I can see blue and white on the wings when I zoom in)

Cheers
Paul

watsthat · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 06:46 PM

Def not Mallard. prob Scaup.

Cheers Pete

htcdude · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 07:31 PM

I zoomed in our your image on 4 of the ducks, 2 of them show green on the wing (don't think this is random light it's too precise) so would suggest to me they are Teal:

(Hope you don't mind me re-posting it)

Nige

PMG · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 07:42 PM

I had decided the shape outline made them mergansers but closer inspection and theres no denying the correct wing colour and pattern for teal as Nige has already said!!!

Pauline

riggy · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 08:30 PM

Cheers
HTCdude no problems with reposting the image.

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 09:28 AM

Yes Teal, getting plenty on seawatches just up the coast from Brid.

The Woodman · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 11:21 AM

Do these maritime Teal move inland apart from nesting?
Rarely see them on the coast in this neck of the woods.

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Do these maritime Teal move inland apart from nesting?
Rarely see them on the coast in this neck of the woods.

They are moving along the coast,they often dont actually land on the sea, but stop off at freshwater wetlands inland or along the coast. Some will hang around this area but most will continue south from their northerly breeding grounds. We get around 150-250 teal wintering along this stretch of coastline in good years, most spend very little time on the sea, in comparison to species like wigeon. Ones like these often just keep flying along the coast.

Also 10,000 plus swallows moving through spurn head this morning too, I counted around 700 further up the coast going south, this AM in about 3 hours. So lots of movement occuring.

The Woodman · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 01:36 PM

That's where I see seasonal Teal, on inland freshwater - including some small lowland drains. Haven't seen the regular Morecambe Bay Widgeon yet this season.

Thanks for the explanation, Dogghound.

riggy · #10 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

They are moving along the coast,they often dont actually land on the sea, but stop off at freshwater wetlands inland or along the coast. Some will hang around this area but most will continue south from their northerly breeding grounds. We get around 150-250 teal wintering along this stretch of coastline in good years, most spend very little time on the sea, in comparison to species like wigeon. Ones like these often just keep flying along the coast.

Also 10,000 plus swallows moving through spurn head this morning too, I counted around 700 further up the coast going south, this AM in about 3 hours. So lots of movement occuring.

I only saw them for one day as the tide was going out. Thye kept flying in circles droping onto the sea for a few mins then repeating. Nvere seen Teal at sea before only the odd one or 2 inland.
Thanks for the info