Reigate Ring-neck

Yesterday morning, Gordon Hay found a female Ring-necked Duck on Priory Park Lake in Reigate. This record has echoes of the Ewell bird that spent two winters, 18 years ago, on a far more modest park pond. I paid my respects this morning, with the bird seemingly aware that there were birders present - when it came close it ensured that there was plenty of bank-side vegetation between it and the path that I was standing on. That made observation fleeting and difficult. After 15 minutes it then swam across the lake and decided to play hide-and-seek amongst some overhanging trees and submerged roots. This bit of dodgy video is the best that I could manage. Hopefully it is here for the winter. Gordon is now hoping that this North-American vagrant decides to pay his beloved Holmethorpe a visit - only three miles away as the duck flies.

Comments

Stewart said…
Nice little vid there Steve...
16 December 2020 at 15:33
Steve Chastell said…
Nice. 20 January 2002 for that strange urban duck according to my notes. Pretty sure that was the last time I went to Ewell...
16 December 2020 at 15:35
Steve Gale said…
Thanks Stewart. All I did was press the red button...

That bird, and the current one, give all of us urban birders hope Steve
16 December 2020 at 18:37
David Bryant said…
Great video! And what a pretty little duck!
16 December 2020 at 18:48
Steve Gale said…
They’re subtle beauties David, underrated.
16 December 2020 at 18:55
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