Decoy and blagdon lake drakes were reported still at those locations yesterday

I thought the Westhay RND was probably the bird Jeff saw at Sharpham re-located, however I’ve just stumbled across Jeffs pics of the Sharpham bird on X, although Jeffs pics were obviously taken in different light conditions I’m fairly sure it’s a different bird when compared with the photo’s taken by Graham Conduit & Darren Atyeo of the Westhay bird – the Westhay bird was browner, had a pale base to its beak and the neck ring was very obvious. I believe the Decoy bird is an adult Male, so this means there are/were three different birds around.

I found a Ring Necked Duck on 10 acre Lake at the north end of London Drove Westhay this afternoon. Don’t know whether this is a new bird or the Decoy or Sharpham bird relocated. Graham Conduit took some photo’s, seems to me to be an Adult Male in Eclipse or a 1st winter but not being an expert on RND plumage variations could possibly be a female. I can send a copy of Grahams photo if anyone wants to take look.

06-Nov-2025
Old flooded peat works lake jct of Sharpham Drove (rd) & Sharpham Lane, N of Walton to look for drake R-n Duck. Expected smart ad, but 1.5hrs search at 200m thro’ flock 22 diving Tufted found a 1stW drake. Previous day reported as a drake on BirdGuides.