Rare ducks which are native to North America have been spotted attempting to breed in East Yorkshire.
The male and female blue-winged teal were spotted at Yorkshire Water’s Tophill Low nature reserve, near Driffield, on a number of occasions over the past 12 months.
Despite being observed in nesting behaviours, it appears the birds were not successful in breeding at the site, where nature reserve wardens and volunteers kept their presence a secret.
However, it is “likely” they have attempted to breed in the area, which is thought to be a first for the UK, Tophill Low warden Richard Hampshire said.
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The push seems to be to get native species back to their previous numbers - wouldn’t an American duck be considered an invasive species? Or are they only called invasive when they’re upsetting the balance?
There’s never balance in nature. Something’s always on the way out while something else is always on the way in. When this change is slow, people confuse it for balance.
Surely there’s a difference between, say, black swans being introduced to Britain and rabbits being introduced to Australia? Black swans aren’t disrupting the British ecosystem (that I know) whereas rabbits down under are a serious pest.
They’re only considered to be invasive when they have a negative impact on the local ecosystem.
Just like in the war. Yanks, comin’ over 'ere, trying to shag our birds. Bet they’ve all brought Lucky Strikes, nylons, and chocolate!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Rare ducks which are native to North America have been spotted attempting to breed in East Yorkshire.The male and female blue-winged teal were spotted at Yorkshire Water’s Tophill Low nature reserve, near Driffield, on a number of occasions over the past 12 months.Despite being observed in nesting behaviours, it appears the birds were not successful in breeding at the site, where nature reserve wardens and volunteers kept their presence a secret.However, it is “likely” they have attempted to breed in the area, which is thought to be a first for the UK, Tophill Low warden Richard Hampshire said.
“Blue-winged teal are native to North America and are a stunning-looking duck – particularly in male plumage with its white face crescent – and are counterpart to our own Eurasian teal which visit mainly in winter by the hundred to the reservoirs and wetlands”, he said.
“It is extremely exciting to have them visiting the reserve for the last 12 months or so and we think they are likely to have attempted to breed in the region, which we think would be a first for the UK.”
Mr Hampshire said wardens kept the presence of the ducks a secret and a programme of work at the nearby water treatment plant was adjusted to ensure there was no risk to the rare birds.He added: "We first spotted the pair in August 2023 and they returned in November, then again during breeding season in April this year when they engaged in nesting behaviour.
"They came back to Tophill Low in June, but unfortunately we’ve had no sightings of immature blue-winged teal locally.
"Tophill Low, which has been a nature reserve for 30 years, is also home to otters, barn owls, kingfishers and grass snakes.
The original article contains 340 words, the summary contains 290 words. Saved 15%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
But they’ll get pudding dicks!
