Scaup? Garden Bird?

[tommyart]

Greater Scaup is an unusual garden tick even for Fair Isle... LOL! it's in my backyard!
must see photos to beleave...

http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2011/10/greater-scaup-garden-tick-bird-of-week.html

[Martin Scott]

Greater Scaup is an unusual garden tick even for Fair Isle... LOL! it's in my backyard!
must see photos to beleave...

http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2011/10/greater-scaup-garden-tick-bird-of-week.html



Is this the bird that was ringed as Lesser Scaup?

Martin

[tommyart]

Is this the bird that was ringed as Lesser Scaup?

Martin

No! the Lesser Scaup is ringed is and was a Lesser Scaup. this is a different bird. here is a link to the Lesser Scaup:

http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2011/10/hudsonian-whimbrel-first-for-britain.html

[MichaelF]

No! the Lesser Scaup is ringed is and was a Lesser Scaup. this is a different bird. here is a link to the Lesser Scaup:

http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2011/10/hudsonian-whimbrel-first-for-britain.html
Wrong link! :cool: should be: http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2011/10/lesser-scaup-bird-of-week-oct-3rd-9th.html

[tommyart]

Greater Scaup is an unusual garden tick even for Fair Isle... LOL! it's in my backyard!
must see photos to beleave...

http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2011/10/greater-scaup-garden-tick-bird-of-week.html

The Scaup (Greater) is still in my garden pond and I'm afraid it's going to starve to dead? What can I feed it? I tried bird seed, then it was suggested that sea ducks like rice? both have not worked. Today the Scaup ate bread thrown on the water like a Mallard... but? surely there is something better?
any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. cheers Tommy

[MichaelF]

Wholemeal bread will at least keep it alive OK, even if it's not the most nutritious food for it. Definitely avoid white bread. Otherwise, duck pellets . . . but I can't imagine they're stocked in Fair Isle's shop!

Try asking the people at FIBO, they might have some better ideas.

[Ditch]

Tommy; Just something I've picked up along the way, mate ..... But; I understand people who like to attract ducks to their ponds for 'sporting purposes' chuck in boiled spuds.

Would not a Scaup be used to diving to find food? Worth a crack?

[tommyart]

Tommy; Just something I've picked up along the way, mate ..... But; I understand people who like to attract ducks to their ponds for 'sporting purposes' chuck in boiled spuds.

Would not a Scaup be used to diving to find food? Worth a crack?

LOL! when I first read your comment... I though you were suggesting eating Scaup with boiled spuds? I think I'll have to fatten it up a little first. :)

Thanks for your suggestions... I don't eat white bread so why should a duck? It is still here and looks happy for now? I'll try those spuds.
Cheers Tommy

[tommyart]

LOL! when I first read your comment... I though you were suggesting eating Scaup with boiled spuds? I think I'll have to fatten it up a little first. :)

Thanks for your suggestions... I don't eat white bread so why should a duck? It is still here and looks happy for now? I'll try those spuds.
Cheers Tommy

The Scaup has flown... It was looking healthy and it's ringed? So I hope it is found again some day. Good Luck Duck!

[tommyart]

The Scaup has flown... It was looking healthy and it's ringed? So I hope it is found again some day. Good Luck Duck!

The Scaup is alive and well! After about 2 weeks I refound it yesterday making visits to various ponds around Fair Isle. see weekend birding post on my blog for more info:

http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2011/11/weekend-birding-8-scaup-rough-legged.html

[AlexHJ]

That is something really out the ordinary to find a scaup on such a little patch of water (luckily for you, your pond!). Great garden tick- not many people can claim that! Fascinating to read your blog!

Cheers, Alex