strange "black" duck

[the_count]

Not to positive on identification on this one as it was over the other side of the pool from the hide, but i think it is either a scaup or a tufted duck still in winter plumage whishever it was, and a better shot of the little grebe that came in to pose for me lol

[Kenn]

Would reckon that's a female scaup by the band across the bill.

[the_count]

That was my thinking too Lizz but female tufted duck do sometimes have that white band too hence the uncertainty. It would have been nice if i had come closer and posed for me so i could have made a definite identification lol

[dafi]

Its a realy hard one to call isnt it!

I was looking at it and thinking it was a tuffted from the broadness of the bills nib.

I dont think i would be calling it as one or another though

[the_count]

went up to the pool on saturday and the mystery was solved when her mate turned up. Its a tufted duck

[Kenn]

Well that's a relief , mystery solved......but are you sure it's the same duck?

[the_count]

yeah Lizz with that same white patch around its beak i got pictures of the pair and compared to earlier pictures of the female to make sure lol