Duck ID Confirmation

[Dogghound]

Without doubt, if you were in the field with a scope something like that would be ID'ed instantly. You would see its size, what sound it makes, how it behaved. ID in the field is far easier (for me).

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Without doubt, if you were in the field with a scope something like that would be ID'ed instantly. You would see its size, what sound it makes, how it behaved. ID in the field is far easier (for me).

When you know which features to look for, you can also look for the angle that allows you to best see these in the field - there is no guarantee that photos taken by someone else will show the right angle.
On number 8 I agree with Aeshna and think it's a Teal (although I'm only looking at a small image on my phone screen).

[Ryjocl]

I appreciate all your help. I realise that the photos are rubbish, someone scared off number 8 so i couldn't get any closer photos. I should have also brought my scope but didn't bring it with me to university

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Ryjocl

I appreciate all your help. I realise that the photos are rubbish, someone scared off number 8 so i couldn't get any closer photos.

Sometimes even "rubbish" photos can be a great help in confirming/correcting an identification (you just have to realise that they won't always be good enough for a positive ID).

In this case though, after viewing the photos on a full sized PC screen, I am certain that 8 is a Teal.
Dogghound deserves respect for admitting that he sometimes has problems identifying birds from photos though (most people do) - and this should not detract from his opinion in other threads (he knows birds extremely well , and IMO the opinion of anyone who will admit that they sometimes get things wrong is worth far more than the opinion of someone who believes they are infallible! (That covers me for when I get it wrong!).





PS. Seriously, no one is always right - I know that I've made some seriously bad mistakes with IDs in my time!

[Harold Smith]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

1. Male Pochard
2. Male Teal
3. Female Teal
4. (front 3 female, last male)Wigeon
5. Teal
6. Teal
7. Teal
8. Mallard (Any other photos)?
9. Pochard and a coot

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Gadwall

Hallo Dogghound,

I agree that 1 and 9 are Pochards. You thought no 8 maybe a Mallard and then decided on a Gadwall. How on earth did you come to that? I have seen many Gadwall but would not have been able to identify it from the photographs presented!

Harold.