ML629516171

Observation details

Large brown duck sitting on bank of sewage ponds amongst a group of shovelers. It was about the same size as the shovelers but it was immediately noticed to have a different (regular) size bill compared to the shovelers. It had a white patch at the rear and a black posterior area. It flew and had white on the inner secondaries close to the body but the remaining secondaries and primaries were unmarked (brown). Concluded it was a male Gadwall. It was first identified by a pair of British birders who are very familiar with this species. It was seen approximately 50m away. It landed in the water and more long looks were made.