An aythya sp. with apparently good head shape for Scaup and no apparent tuft; bill looks dodgy in this shot possibly due to terrible light:
Bill looks much better in this shot:
Possible vestigial tuft after all though? But more likely the wind as didn't appear obvious in the field.
Possible vestigial tuft on this one too but again I suspect the wind. Also note pale area at base of head, good for Scaup. Hopefully someone will take a look in the next few days and confirm one way or the other.
Update: after talking to AH & OM it seems that the best we can come up with is that it is probably a Scaup but we can't be 100% certain so alas it may have to go down as one that got away. There has been no further sign of the bird in the area.
Update 2: Bird was re-found by AH on New Lake on Saturday and again by ARK also on New Lake, Chichester Gravel Pits on Monday. Generally considered as a bona fide Scaup now. I'll submit the record and see what happens!
Update 3: Decided not to submit the record as little chance of acceptance apparently. ARK has changed his mind and it's now not a Scaup.
Update 4: From the Selsey blog:
The contentious female-type Scaup/Tufted/hybrid was again on the Breech Pool this morning (AH) and at risk of boring everyone to death, some final comments.......
I think it is a likely hybrid or possible Tufted, whilst AH considers this bird to be a Tufted. However, it is AH's view this is a different bird than the one seen on New Lake, Chi GPs a short while ago - and he still feels that bird is a likely genuine Scaup. There is a further complication concerning one (or the same?) seen on New Lake a few days after by ARK - who thought it to be a Tufted. And of course there is the original bird found by BI on Pagham Lagoon, which some may consider different? So we may have the two, three or even four bird theory!
The editors propose to draw a line under this one now and observers can make up their own minds - see pics below...so no further comments unless there is some future definitive information... !
