The most interesting bird today was a drake Ruddy Duck of the dark headed form(ferruginea) that was infront of the Scott hide. As far as I know this is the first time this varient has been recorded in Staffordshire.The first Spotted Flycatcher was in the reservoir plantation around the feeding station. The Black-necked Grebe was still at the west end. The immatre drake Goldeneye and drake Wigeon remain. A Cuckoo was calling just south of the reserve this morning.
Thanks for your comments Andy and Mark. In response to the possibility of the bird being an Argentine Bluebill. In the wildfowl book (madge/Burn) It shows the black to be more extensive on the neck on the Bluebill, also the Belvide bird had two raised bumps on the crown, as should be with Ruddy Duck, there is no mention of this with Blubill.

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• Sunday, May 11, 2008 - Ruddy duck
ruddy duck, dark headed form (ferruginea) has been recorded at blithefield. There was one present in tad bay many moons ago, over 13 years ago anyway, thats when I moved to telford. Sam may remember it, I'm sure it was around for a while.
Cheers andy