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Sunday, 16 December 2012

Long-tailed Duck at Portscatho, Cornwall

This first year Long-tailed Duck appears to be over-wintering in the harbour at Portscatho.  First found several weeks ago, it favours the harbour area and also nearby Rosevine beach.  Today was the closest I have seen it, but still fifty yards or so off the rocks.  With the lack of white in the crown and any trace of white in the mantle and wings, this is presumably a first year female.  This is the third record of the species so far this winter in Cornwall, following an adult male at Carnsew and a first year bird at St Gothians. Gerrans Bay is a regular haunt for Long-tailed Duck but I have only seen them nearer to Nare Head than in Portscatho.
 


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