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Wednesday 18 December 2019

A Senior Shelduck

I spent a while observing these two Common Shelduck while they where feeding on part of the Radipole waterways recently. In respect of the photographs here I was showing that shooting through reeds provides an alternative view of interest to a clear unobstructed view.



During this time I was able to take some shots that showed leg rings on one of the ducks. It revealed the letters 'NV' on a yellow ring on the left leg. There was also a gold ring on the right leg which I was unable to identify.


I searched the Euring website and discovered that the duck had been ringed at  Seaton Marshes Devon by the Axe Estuary Ringing Group. I made contact with the group. I was informed that the duck I had photographed had been ringed at Seaton Marshes on 23 March 2013 at which time it was assessed at being 3 years old. This of course revealed that this duck was now approximately 10 years old. This is the average life span of a Common Shelduck. This duck appeared in good health and was feeding well and appeared to have no difficulty in feeding by upending and searching below the water surface. 
Apparently it continues to be sighted at Seaton during winter.
The oldest recording ringed Common Shelduck is 19 years, 7 months, 27 days. 






17 comments:

  1. Que bonitas fotos Roy, me encantan. Saludos.

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  2. Ne ovat upeita lintua. Toivottavasti näen niitä kesällä jälleen. Ihanaa joulun aikaa!

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  3. Interesting info....I wonder if it gets all the aches and pains that THIS senior gets?...[;o{

    Seasons greetings Roy, and best wishes for the New Year.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Trevor. A little Christmas spirit may help that.
      Seasons greetings to you also and all the best for the New Year.

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  4. Hi Roy,
    Great show of happy Shelducks!!
    Best wishes,
    Maria

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  5. Hi Roy, very nice. I think it's also nice to hear something about the history of the bird you saw. Maybe the bird will return naxt year or so and you can follow him up.

    Have a nice weekend,
    Marianne

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    1. Thanks Marianne.
      I will keep a look out for him.

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  6. Hi Roy, beautiful photos of these ducks. We have them too in our area. I wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year. Greetings Caroline

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    1. Thanks Caroline and a Merry Christmas to you.

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  7. Thanks Nora and I hope you have a Merry Christmas as well.

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  8. Hello Roy
    beautiful pictures of this Tadorna.
    The Christmas days are already over but I wish you a very beautiful and carefree 2020.
    Great ones, Helma

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Helma and all the best to you for 2020.

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  9. Très bonne année Roy.
    Jolie série des tadornes.
    À bientôt.

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    Replies
    1. Bonne année Nath. Je suis content d'avoir de tes nouvelles.

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