American Wigeon

Anatidae

Dec 25

Written By Keith Naylor

Mareca americana (Gmelin, JF, 1789) (15, 7)

Photo © Phil Woollen - Burton Mere Wetlands, Cheshire & Wirral, 8 February 2015

Ex BBRC species 31/12/2001

STATUS

Nearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Also known as Baldpate in North America.

The first two records were accepted by Saunders (1899, 2nd ed.), but they are both from game stalls, so surely there is a reason for caution in accepting these.

Edward Newman (1864) in The Zoologist (1st series) 22: 8962, in a footnote added to a record from Essex in 1864, adds [The claim of this bird to a place in the British list is very questionable: the first supposed specimen was bought in Leadenhall Market; the second record was never substantiated by "the production of the specimen.] Later with the same opinion, Witherby (see under 1931 record) stated: 'There were also two older records from game-stalls, but the origin of these birds was uncertain.'

RECORDS

1). 1907 Outer Hebrides Ob Saile, Benbecula, adult male, shot, 3rd January, now at Natural History Museum, Tring (BMNH 1907.2.8.1).

(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 19: 57; "D.A.M." Field 9th Feb., 1907: 216; E. M. Corbett, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 116; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 56; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Cunningham, 1983; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1907) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XIX. p. 57, at the 130th Meeting of the Club held on 20th February 1907 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Dr R. Bowdler Sharpe exhibited an adult male specimen of the American Wigeon (Mareca americana), which had been shot by Mr. E. M. Corbett on the island of Benbecula, Hebrides, on the 3rd of January, 1907. There was every reason to suppose that this specimen was a wild bird.'

"D.A.M." (1907) in The Field of 9th Feb., Vol. CIX. p. 216, says: 'It was reported in a local newspaper, dated Jan. 12, that an American Wigeon which had been shot by Mr. Corbett, at Creagorry [sic], Benbecula, South Uist, had been placed in the hands of Mr. C. H. Bishopp, taxidermist, Oban, for preservation. It is to be hoped that the bird has been correctly identified.' [Should this meet the eye of Mr. Bishopp perhaps he will kindly supply information on the point. - Ed.]

Edward M. Corbett of Greagorry, Benbecula (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 116, says: 'The following note is sent in response to the Editor's request for information regarding the capture of the American Wigeon (Mareca americana).

When we arrived at Greagorry, we found everything under snow and practically all the fresh-water lochs frozen up. On 3rd January we tried some of the salt-water lochs for Wigeon, etc. On one of these, Ob Suille, about a mile east of Greagorry, we found about thirty Wigeon. Of these we shot two as they passed out to sea. Our shots disturbed a solitary Brent, which flew up to the top of the loch. We then sent the men round to flush the Goose or anything else that may have remained, while we guarded the outlet. The men flushed the Wigeon in one of the small bays of the south side, and it flew towards me, lighting again after flying about 200 yards, and swam towards or past me, feeding from time to time. When abreast of me I stood up, it rose, and I shot it. Unfortunately it was not killed and my spaniel pulled most of the tail out in retrieving it. It was a male of the year, I fancy, but, if so, in very fine plumage.'

[This rare visitor has been obtained on one or two occasions in England, but this is the first authentic record of its capture in Scotland. The bird has been presented to the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. - Eds.]

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 56, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'An adult male was shot on Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, on January 3rd, 1907, by Mr. E. M. Corbett (R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bull. B.O.C., XIX. p. 57, cf. also Ann. S.N.H., 1907, p. 116). This is the first authentic record of the occurrence of this rare wanderer in Scotland. The bird is now in the British Museum (Natural History).'

Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920-24; Witherby et al. 1940-52) but Baxter & Rintoul (1953) accept it as probably wild but that the possibility of escape is not wholly ruled out. Since then it has been accepted as the first for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

Comment Probably the taxidermist was Cecil H. Bisshopp of Oban (Marshall 2009).

2). 1910 Anglesey Llyn Llywenan, adult male, seen, 21st and 23rd June.

(C. Oldham, British Birds 4: 87; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 4: 256; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994; Jones & Whalley, 2004).

History Charles Oldham (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 87, says: 'On June 21st, 1910, and again on June 23rd I spent several hours with Mr. J. Steele Elliott and the Rev. D. Edmondes Owen watching an American Wigeon (Mareca americana) on the lake at Presaddfed, near Holyhead. The bird usually consorted with a bunch of Teal, and, whether in the company of the other ducks or alone, was full of nervous activity, constantly on the alert, and rose on the wing at the least alarm.

It was indeed only by careful stalking that we were able to approach it, and everything in its appearance and behaviour negatived the idea that it had escaped from captivity. Strong as it was on the wing, it had some difficulty in keeping up with the Teal when the birds were in full flight, and generally lagged, the last bird in the bunch.

Aided by binoculars and a telescope we were able on each day to get near enough to the Wigeon to study its plumage in detail and to identify it with certainty.

An adult drake, it seemed to be in full breeding-dress, and its intense black under tail-coverts as yet showed no sign of the white feathering that marks the assumption of the eclipse-plumage. The crown was very pale grey - in some lights almost white, though not the pure white of the patch in front of the black under tail-coverts, a patch which was seen to extend from the belly right over the rump when the bird raised its wings. The sides of the head and the neck were hoary, and a broad ill defined green streak extended from the eye backwards and then downwards. The bill was greyish-blue with a black tip. The lower neck, breast, back and sides were vinaceous; the belly white; the primaries and rectrices very dark grey, appearing at a distance to be quite black. The pale shoulders and the white on the wing-coverts, which formed a conspicuous broad bar across the wing when the bird was in flight, were concealed by the vinaceous feathers of the flanks when it was at rest on the water.'

H. F. Witherby (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 256, says: 'With reference to Mr. C. Oldham's note (antea, p. 87) on an American Wigeon which he saw in Anglesey in June, 1910, the probability of its having been an "escape" was not at the time taken into serious consideration.

I have recently heard from the Duchess of Bedford that American Wigeon breed every year at Woburn and that the young can go where they like. Under these circumstances I do not think, and Mr. Oldham agrees with me, that we can regard the Anglesey record as referring to an undoubted wild bird. I had thought that the bird might have escaped from Netherby [Cumbria], but Sir Richard Graham writes me that he has no full-winged American Wigeon.'

Accepted nationally as the first for Wales with the location as Llyn Llywenan (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

3). 1917 Kent Monkton, Thanet, male, shot, 15th March, now at Maidstone Museum.

(Harrison, 1953; Borrer, 1960; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984; http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/AmericanWigeon.htm).

History Harrison (1953) recorded the record in square brackets due to the escape factor, with the date as 15th March.

Borrer (1960: 8) who on the mainly personally obtained British collection of Guy Mannering which he presented to the Maidstone Museum, says: 'One female, Monkton, Thanet, Kent, 5th March 1917.'

Accepted locally now as a male with the date as 15th March 1917 (Taylor, Davenport & Flegg 1984).

Comment Not mentioned (Witherby et al. 1940-52) while the BOU (1971) is unclear about which records are acceptable.

4). 1919 Fife River Eden, St Andrews, adult male, seen, 24th November.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 40: 13-14; Eds., British Birds 13: 299-300; F. W. Smalley, Scottish Naturalist 40: 55-56; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 40: 102; M. Portal, British Birds 13: 316; Witherby, 1920-24; J. Grierson, Scottish Birds 2: 133; Smout, 1986; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. pp. 13-14, say: 'On 24th November 1919 we walked along the shore from St. Andrews to the mouth of the Eden, and in that stretch of bay saw more Duck than we have ever before seen in one day. The large majority of these were Mallard, but there were also a great many Wigeon, and smaller numbers of Common Scoter, Eider, and Goosander.

A flock of about thirty Wigeon flew down the Eden, lit in the sea close to the edge of the tide and allowed us to get quite near them; among these we were much excited to see an American Wigeon (Mareca americana), a rare wanderer to our shores. As this bird was a drake in full plumage its identification was not a difficult matter, its white forehead and crown and whitish freckled cheeks especially catching the eye, while the white on the wing was much more conspicuous than in the Common Wigeon. The flock rose and flew back towards the Eden, thus we had an excellent view of it both in the water and in flight. This is the first record of the occurrence of the American Wigeon in the Tay Area.

The occurrence of this American species within so short a period on both the east and west of Scotland naturally leads one to wonder as to the reason for the appearance of these rare visitors....The weather conditions which prevailed for some time before the appearance of these birds were such as one would expect to coincide with the arrival of American stragglers on our shores.

High north-westerly and westerly winds swept the Atlantic, and November was the coldest that has been known for many years. These conditions were such as might easily divert even the strongest flying Duck from its usual line of flight, and we would suggest that here we have the clue to the appearance of these stragglers.'

In an Editorial (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. pp. 299-300, they say: 'It will be remembered that Mr. J. A. Anderson recorded seeing an adult male Anas americana on Bardowie Loch, Stirlingshire, on December 14th, 1919 (antea, p. 244), Miss L. J. Rintoul and Miss E. V. Baxter record (Scot. Nat., 1920, p. 13) that they clearly identified an adult male of this species amongst a flock of Wigeon, which they were able to approach closely, on November 24th, 1919, at the mouth, of the River Eden, Fifeshire.

These authors remark that the occurrence of these two American Wigeon may have been due to the high north-westerly and westerly winds in the Atlantic earlier in November, but this does not seem to us a very satisfactory explanation in the case of a bird which is not only of strong flight but can also descend safely to the water.'

M. Portal of Hexham (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 316, in a Letter, says: 'Sirs, - With reference to the notes on the American Wigeon having been seen in Stirlingshire and Fifeshire (antea, pp. 244 and 299), is it not highly probable that these were birds bred from captive parents and, owing to the War, were not pinioned?

I know personally of some which were hatched and not pinioned in Northumberland in 1914-15. It may be thought improbable that these birds would escape for so long a period, but a male Common Wigeon which I have had since 1910 is still about, though not fed since 1914-15, and also a male Pintail, hatched 1914, comes back at intervals and I saw him on March 20th, and he still remembered the whistle and came up within fifteen yards, which astonished me, as I had been away over four and a half years.'

[Although both birds appeared to be wild ones, of course there is always the possibility of their having been bred from captive birds, and unfortunately this is so with many rare "Waterfowl". - Eds.]

F. W. Smalley (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL, pp. 55-56, says: 'I have read the articles by Mr. J. Alastair Anderson and the Misses Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul and Evelyn V. Baxter on the above subject in the January-February issue of the Scottish Naturalist (antea pp. 13, 14) with much interest, and especially so with regard to the suggestion put forth as to how these supposed wanderers reached the shores of Scotland.

If I may be allowed to do so, I would like to put forward another solution, and one which I venture to think may prove more acceptable to the majority of ornithologists than the suggestion that these birds were diverted from their migratory route by adverse weather and very strong gales.

Surely, had the winds been so strong as to bring this about we should have had an invasion of American Wigeon and many other species from the Western Hemisphere, and not just an isolated couple of adult male Mareca americana. Here is my theory, to be taken for what it may be worth.

For some years now, many "foreign" species of duck have been extensively bred in a "wild state" on Sir Richard Graham's ponds at Netherby [Cumbria], on the shores of the Solway Firth. I have myself had strange sensations when walking through the Larch woods surrounding the ponds by suddenly seeing the head and neck of a Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) peering down at me from the hole in a nesting-box placed some 20 ft. up a tree; and as for the gorgeous sight of nearly every species of surface-feeding duck known to the Palearctic regions swimming on and flying about the ponds - well, it is a picture which time can never efface from my memory.

I therefore venture to put forward the suggestion that it is very much more probable that the two male American Wigeon severally noted on the West and East of Scotland hailed from Netherby, rather than from the American Continent.

It is, of course, a pity that "all" the Netherby ducks cannot be ringed, but breeding, as they do, in a state of nature, once they have become established, it is impossible. I have an unbounded admiration for the skill of Sir Richard's head keeper, Mr. Wm. Bell - a more successful breeder of ducks never lived; but, much as I admire and glory in the sight of the ducks as I have seen them on the ponds, I cannot help feeling that, when any rare duck is recorded on our shores, whether there is not some very material doubt as to its being a genuine visitor from some distant clime, or whether it did not first see light on one of the Netherby ponds.

If the theory suggested is accepted, it may throw considerable light on the breeding of the Gadwall in Scotland. This duck breeds freely at Netherby.'

L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. p. 102, accept this record in the annual report for 1919. Witherby (1920-24) says: 'May have been an escape from captivity (Scottish Naturalist 1920: 13).'

Accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

5). 1919 Upper Forth Bardowie Loch, Stirlingshire, adult male, seen, 14th December; possibly same as Fife individual.

(J. A. Anderson, Scottish Naturalist 40: 13; J. A. Anderson, British Birds 13: 244; M. Portal, British Birds 13: 316; F. W. Smalley, Scottish Naturalist 40: 55-56; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 40: 102; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History J. Alastair Anderson (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. p. 13, says: 'On the 14th December 1919, while watching a flock of Wigeon on Bardowie Loch with a telescope, I saw a beautiful adult male American Wigeon (Mareca americana). When first noticed I could not see its head, but the dark flanks and the brilliant white on the wing showed clearly in comparison with the other Wigeon.

As soon as it lifted its head I at once recognised it by the dull white crown and forehead and the small black spots on the lores and cheeks. Later, Mr. James Bartholomew and I had the good fortune to see it at closer range, when the green patch extending from behind the eye shone brilliantly as the bird turned its head or preened its feathers. It appeared slightly larger than the common Wigeon and equally wary, rising at the slightest sign of danger.

I may add that there is no mistaking this handsome bird, especially when seen in company with males of Mareca penelope. This is the first record of this species in the Clyde Area.'

J. A. Anderson (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 244, says: 'While I was watching a flock of Wigeon on Bardowie Loch, on December 14th, 1919, I saw what was unmistakably an adult male American Wigeon (Anas americana). Later in the day Mr. J. Bartholomew and I saw it at closer range, when the dull white forehead and crown, the green patch extending behind the eye and the black spots on the other parts of the head showed clearly in comparison with the other male Wigeon amongst which it appeared to be quite happy. I think there is little doubt that this was a genuine wild bird, as it was quite as wary as the other Wigeon, of which there were about ninety.'

M. Portal of Hexham (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 316, in a Letter, says 'Sirs, - With reference to the notes on the American Wigeon having been seen in Stirlingshire and Fifeshire (antea, pp. 244 and 299), is it not highly probable that these were birds bred from captive parents and, owing to the War, were not pinioned?

[Although both birds appeared to be wild ones, of course there is always the possibility of their having been bred from captive birds, and unfortunately this is so with many rare "Waterfowl". - Eds.]

F. W. Smalley (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. pp. 55-56, says: 'I have read the articles by Mr. J. Alastair Anderson and the Misses Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul and Evelyn V. Baxter on the above subject in the January-February issue of the Scottish Naturalist (antea pp. 13, 14) with much interest, and especially so with regard to the suggestion put forth as to how these supposed wanderers reached the shores of Scotland. If I may be allowed to do so, I would like to put forward another solution, and one which I venture to think may prove more acceptable to the majority of ornithologists than the suggestion that these birds were diverted from their migratory route by adverse weather and very strong gales.

If the theory suggested is accepted, it may throw considerable light on the breeding of the Gadwall in Scotland. This duck breeds freely at Netherby.'

Accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

6). 1931 Outer Hebrides Lochmaddy, North Uist, two: adult male and immature female, shot, 10th February.

(G. C. Hitchcock, Field 14th Mar., 1931: 358; G. C. Low, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 51: 99, 108; Eds., Scottish Naturalist 51: 91; S. W. P. Freme, British Birds 24: 369; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Scottish Naturalist 1954: 24; Cunningham, 1983).

History C. C. Hitchcock from Lochmaddy, North Uist (1931) in The Field of 14th Mar., Vol. CLVII. p. 358, says: 'From an ornithological point of view I shot some interesting wildfowl on a day in mid-February on the west coast of this island. I was flighting Wigeon at dusk with Capt. Frank P. Berkeley and secured what proved to be a couple of American Wigeon.

Three birds of this particular lot came in and I got two with the right barrel and the other fell 100yds. or so away in the heather on the border of the estuary, but unfortunately in the gathering darkness, I was unable to pick it up. With the help of Mr. Freme, who is staying up here, we at once placed the cock bird as the American species, but not being sure of the hen bird I sent them both to Rowland Ward, Ltd., for identification and preserving; and I have had their reply, saying they are a pair of the American species.

There have been occasions when birds of this species have been secured in British Isles, and when they have been considered as being escaped birds from private collections. But the locality in which these were shot points to their being genuine migrants from across the water.'

G. Carmichael Low, Editor (1931) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. LI. p. 99, at the 345th Meeting of the Club held on 8th April 1931 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Lord Rothschild exhibited a pair of American Wigeon (Anas (Mareca) americana).

He said that he exhibited them on behalf of Mr. C. C. Hitchcock who had killed them this year on Loch Maddy, North Uist. Their great interest lay in the two facts, (1), that so few genuine records with impeachable data could be found among the so-called 'British' examples of the American Wigeon, and (2), the greater proportion of the genuine records have been obtained off the West Coast of Ireland, while this pair were procured in the Outer Hebrides.

This would point to the original home of the pair exhibited having been Greenland or Northern Canada, while the rest probably came over from Southern Canada or the United States.'

G. Carmichael Low, Editor (1931) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. LI. p. 108, at the 346th Meeting of the Club held on 13th May 1931 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. H. F. Witherby referred to Lord Rothschild's statement at the April meeting (see Bulletin, Vol. LI. p. 99) that of British examples of the American Wigeon (Mareca americana) "the greater proportion of the genuine records have been obtained off the west coast of Ireland".

Mr. Witherby stated that he did not know of any authentic records of the American Wigeon in Ireland.

The species was not included in Ussher and Warren's Birds of Ireland (1900) nor in Ussher's List of Irish Birds (1908), nor in the second edition (1924) by A. R. Nichols of that List.

Mr. Witherby stated that there were very few occurrences of the American Wigeon which were not open to the suspicion of being birds which might have been put down full-winged or might have been the progeny of semi-captive birds.

There was a previous record from the Outer Hebrides (Benbecula, ad. male shot, Jan. 3, 1907). An adult male was identified by Mr. C. Oldham in Anglesey in June 1910, another by Messrs. Anderson and Bartholomew at Bardowie Loch in December 1919, and another by Miss Rintoul and Miss Baxter in Fifeshire in November 1919.

There were also two older records from game-stalls, but the origin of these birds was uncertain. In view of the fact that other species which had been put down full-winged had been proved to wander widely, it might be said that most of the records of American Wigeon were open to doubt.'

In an Editorial (1931) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LI. p. 91, they quote from The Field. Accepted by Witherby (1941) and Baxter & Rintoul (1953) as probably wild but that the possibility of escape is not wholly ruled out.

S. W. P. Freme (1931) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. pp. 369-370, says: 'Mr. Hitchcock, proprietor of the Lochmaddy Hotel, N. Uist, has already reported to The Field the occurrence of two American Wigeon which he shot on a sea loch at no great distance from his hotel on February 10th, 1931.

One of the birds was a very fine adult male in typical rosy plumage, with a full white crown. The other seemed to me to be an immature female.

They were killed on evening flight by Mr. Hitchcock, and a third bird flying with them was also brought down, but unfortunately was not recovered. I had, of course, no difficulty in identifying the drake, but the duck was less distinctive. It seemed to me to be paler on the head and greyer on the general body-plumage than any Common Wigeon I have handled, and Captain Bernard Howard of Greystoke, who has an extensive knowledge of ducks, agreed with me that it was probably an American.

Messrs. Rowland Ward, to whom the birds were sent for preservation, wrote to Mr. Hitchcock to say that they were both undoubtedly American Wigeon. Search was made at my request for the third member of this trio but without success. It had fallen clear of high-water mark, but was not exactly marked, and the Wigeon is so strong afoot that it might have gone any distance.

Previous to this record, very severe gales from N.W. to S.W. had obtained for a considerable period. The birds were flighting to a bed of zostera and had been at sea all day by the salty condition of their plumage.'

Comment In the Scottish Naturalist 1954: 21-28 there is a discussion on the weather pattern associated with this record along with other Nearctic rarities.

8). 1935 Lancashire & North Merseyside Leighton Moss, male, shot, December.

(H. A. Fooks, Field 3rd Oct., 1936: 803; H. W. Robinson, Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee Report 1937: 33; Spencer, 1973; White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008).

History H. A. Fooks (1936) in The Field of 3rd Oct., Vol. CLXVIII. p. 803, says: 'It may interest you to put on record that last December I shot an American Wigeon drake, Mareca americana, in the north of Lancashire, near the sea.

A few days later I sailed for India, and, in the meantime, my identification was confirmed.

This bird was shot out of a flock of about 25 to 30 birds. Unfortunately, I missed with one barrel, and am therefore unable to say whether the other birds were of a similar variety.

I should be interested to hear whether anyone in the district has this species in captivity, as I understand that only five specimens have been recorded in the British Isles, two of which might have escaped from captivity.'

[This is the eleventh example recorded in England since 1837. Only one female has been recorded. It should be remembered that some of these examples may have been escapes from captivity - which is, of course, a possibility in the present case. Our correspondent can rest assured that all the other birds were not of the same species. - Ed.]

H. W. Robinson (1937) in the Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee 23rd Report, p. 33, says: 'An American Wigeon was shot on Leighton Moss in December 1935 as recorded by Mr. H. A. Fooks in The Field. This was probably an escape as full-winged birds have been liberated in Cumberland.'

Locally, Oakes (1953) did not record any American Wigeon for Lancashire, but then he didn't list The Field in his journal list of references, so would be unaware of it. However, Spencer (1973: 12) says: 'The late H. A. Fooks shot a drake at Leighton Moss in December 1935 (Field, 30th Oct., 1936)'. It is now accepted locally (White, McCarthy & Jones 2008).

Comment Spencer gave the wrong date of the 30th Oct., for the reference in The Field. Apparently, Fooks was the author of Deer Control in Woodland Areas (1967).

9). 1938 Fife Locality in the North, adult male, 29th November.

(Witherby et al., 1940-52; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Witherby et al. (1940-1952) adds: 'Identified by John Berry author of The Status and Distribution of Wild Geese and Wild Duck in Scotland, (1939).' Accepted nationally for Scotland (Baxter & Rintoul 1953).

10.0). 1946 Avon Blagdon Lake, Somerset, male, seen, 27th January to 5th February; also in Somerset.

(H. H. Davis, British Birds 39: 219-220; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1946: 20-21; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; H. E. Rose, Avon Bird Report 2000: 170).

History H. H. Davis (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. pp. 219-220, says: 'On January 27th, 1946, at Blagdon Reservoir, Somerset, close views were obtained by Messrs. B. King and R. H. Poulding of a drake American Wigeon Anas americana. Their accurate description was confirmed on the 28th, when I saw the bird at the same place, in company with about fifty common Wigeon A. penelope.

Under cover of a low hedge I was able to watch it (with telescope) in a good light at little more than 100 yards range, and to note clearly such diagnostic characters as the white crown, the glossy blackish-green eye-patch, and the densely spotted greyish cheeks and neck. Both on the water and in flight it displayed the usual conspicuously white fore-wing, but compared with accompanying males of A. penelope the body plumage generally was darker and predominantly brown.

That the bird showed immediate signs of alarm when approached in the open, and was one of the first to take wing, suggests that it was a genuinely wild visitor. The possibility, however, that it had escaped from confinement cannot be entirely ruled out.

The bird was still at BIagdon on February 5th, but it could not be found there on the 10th. What was, no doubt, the same individual was seen by several observers at Cheddar Reservoir, on the opposite side of the Mendips, on March 2nd and 17th.'

Accepted locally (H. E. Rose, Avon Bird Report, 2000: 170).

10.1). 1946 Somerset Cheddar Reservoir, 2nd and 17th March; same as Avon.

(H. H. Davis, British Birds 39: 219-220; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1946: 20-21; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

History H. H. Davis (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. pp. 219-220, says: '...The bird was still at Blagdon on February 5th, but it could not be found there on the 10th. What was, no doubt, the same individual was seen by several observers at Cheddar Reservoir, on the opposite side of the Mendips, on March 2nd and 17th.'

Accepted locally (Ballance 2006).

11). 1946 Gloucestershire Between Slimbridge and Frampton-on-Severn, male, 9th March.

(A. J. B. Thompson, British Birds 39: 220; Swaine, 1982).

History A. J. B. Thompson (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 220, says: 'On March 9th, 1946, in company with another observer unfortunately inexperienced, I saw a male American Wigeon Anas americana on the River Severn between Frampton-on-Severn and the New Grounds.

The bird was seen first at c.150 yards' range, when its white head was noticed, and it was watched as it drifted past on the rising tide in company with a large number of Wigeon Anas penelope and Teal Anas crecca, until the range shortened to less than 50 yards. Finally it drifted out of sight upstream, being in full view for 5-10 minutes in conditions of perfect visibility with 8 x 30 glasses.

The fore-head and top of head were white, the throat and 'face' were dingy white; a broad dark mark around the eye extending to the back of the head was seen to be glossy green, the gloss only being apparent at certain angles. The back appeared to be the same colour as in a nearby Wigeon, the white stripe along the wing and the black stern were also like a normal Wigeon, but the white spot before the stern was much more noticeable and the flanks were a pinkish-lavender colour, which made the bird appear slightly darker than a nearby male Wigeon.

A sketch was made in the field and the bird was easily identified on reference to The Handbook and Coward's Birds of the British Isles.'

[The Gloucestershire occurrence raises the question whether this bird and the one seen in Somerset were the same, but the fact that the Somerset bird was seen at Cheddar on March 2nd and again on March 17th, while the Gloucestershire one was seen on March 9th, seems against this possibility. - Eds.]

10.2). 1946 Somerset Cheddar Reservoir, 30th December to 26th January 1947; returning individual; same as Avon.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Report 1947: 216; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1947: 15; Eds., British Birds 43: 311; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

History F. L. Blathwayt (1947) in the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Report, p. 216, says: 'A male, undoubtedly the same bird as that reported in 1946, was seen at Cheddar Reservoir, January 5 and 19 (R.E.A., G.E.C. & R.H.P.), and was still there on the 26th (B.K.).'

F. L. Blathwayt (1947) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XXXIV. p. 15, says: 'One at Cheddar Reservoir, obviously the same as recorded in 1946, seen on Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26.'

In an Editorial (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 311, in a Review of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Report, for 1947, they say: 'An American Wigeon, which has already been mentioned in our pages, earns a place in the 1947 report by remaining till January 26th at Cheddar.'

Palmer & Ballance (1968) state the date range as 30th December to 26th January 1947 (H. J. Boyd).

12). 1948 Shetland Vementry area, Mainland, pair, seen, 13th to 19th June.

(D. Cross, Field 17th July 1948: 76; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Pennington et al., 2004).

History Donald Cross of Vementry, Bixter (1948) in The Field of 17th July, Vol. CXCII. p. 76, says: 'As The Handbook of British Birds, states that the American Wigeon is a 'very rare vagrant' to this country, perhaps the following may be of interest. From June 13th to 19th, on three occasions, I observed a pair at close quarters and in a perfect light. On two, out of the three times, I "stalked" to within 25 or 30 yards of them, when they were feeding on a small loch on a sunny day, and watched them for a full half hour with 12 x 40 Kershaw glasses. I have no hesitation about being certain in my identification.

This identification was helped by the fact that in all three cases they were close in company with a pair of ordinary Wigeon; so I had a unique opportunity of comparing the likeness in "outline" and general behaviour, whilst at the same time being able to see the difference of plumage in both drake and duck.

From their behaviour I can see no reason why this pair should not be nesting, but so far I have not been able to find the nest, as they fly from the small brackish loch up to a large fresh water loch, which is close by and which is entirely surrounded by long heather right down to the water's edge.

I have found the ordinary Wigeons' nest near to the place where the four of them seemed to pitch, but have had no luck with the American "cousins".'

Baxter & Rintoul (1953) recorded the same details quoting The Field newspaper as their source.

Pennington et al. (2004) says: 'This pair was seen by Donald Cross on three separate occasions between 13th and 19th June 1948 in the Vementry area.'

14). 1948 Angus & Dundee Long Loch of Lundie, Angus, male, seen, 6th November.

(H. Boase, Scottish Naturalist 61: 124; Crighton, 1976).

History Henry Boase (1949) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXI. p. 124, says: 'On 6th November 1948 a drake American Wigeon, Anas americana, was seen on the Long Loch of Lundie. 'It appeared to be associated with a pair of Common Wigeon, Anas penelope, and all three rose within a few seconds of sighting, followed by a further twenty or so of Wigeon nearby. The trio was followed with the binoculars and appeared to drop on the far end of the loch.

Later, the American Wigeon was watched at a range of about seventy yards for ten minutes or so. In sunshine the dark green-glossed areas on the head were conspicuous.'

[The American Wigeon has been observed and a few obtained on several occasions in Scotland. It is, however, a species often kept in captivity, so that records of occurrences must be treated with caution, as they are open to the suspicion that they refer to 'escapes' rather than genuine visitors from abroad. - Editors.]

15). 1949 Angus & Dundee Dun's Dish, Angus, male, 25th June.

(Crighton, 1976; Scottish Birds Records Committee, email).

History No further details in Crighton (1976). Scottish Birds Records Committee count it separately to the 1948 record.

1950-57 RECORDS

16). 1951 Cheshire & Wirral Tabley Mere, male, 28th February to 1st March.

(A. W. Boyd, British Birds 45: 34; L. P. Samuels & T. H. Bell, Cheshire Bird Report 1957-60: 52; Hedley Bell, 1962).

History A. W. Boyd (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 34, says: 'On February 28th, 1951, Mr. Mark Dean saw a drake American Wigeon (Anas americana) on Tabley Mere, Cheshire and on the following day I saw it in a flock of some sixty Common Wigeon (Anas penelope).

It is, I understand, the first known occurrence of this species in the county, although from May 19th to 31st, 1937, I saw on Rostherne Mere an obviously hybrid American Wigeon, which had doubtless escaped from captivity. On enquiring this year at the Severn Wildfowl Trust we were told that none has escaped from the collection there, and we have not discovered evidence of an escape from any other source.

The possibility of its having reached England under its own power is strengthened by the fact that Dr Finnur Guddmundsson of Reykjavik saw an adult drake in breeding plumage on June 27th, 1949, on Lake Myvatyn, Iceland.

He has written in a letter to Mr. J. Fisher to say that F. Coburn's records of its breeding in Iceland fifty years ago are unreliable, although it is likely that he shot an adult drake there in 1899.

The species has not been recorded in Iceland between 1899 and 1949, but it is at least possible that the bird he saw in 1949 or any other that reached Iceland might accompany the Common Wigeon on their way south.'

Accepted locally (Hedley Bell 1962).

17). 1951 Somerset Shapwick Heath, 5th April.

(Report and Reference Book of the Mid-Somerset Naturalist Society 1951; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

History Palmer & Ballance (1968: 66) say: 'Shapwick, 5th April 1951 (D. H. Perrett) - perhaps escape (Report and Reference Book of the Mid-Somerset Naturalists Society 1949 et seq.).'

Somerset Ornithological Society (1988) say: '...may have been an escape.'

It would appear from Ballance (2006) that the escape caveat was because of it being seen in April.

18). 1951 Northumberland Fenham Flats, adult male, shot, 8th November.

(G. W. Temperley, Naturalist 77: 122; A. W. Boyd, British Birds 46: 230; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).

History G. W. Temperley (1952) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXVII. p. 122, under 'Ornithological Report for Northumberland and Durham for 1951', says: 'On November 8th on Fenham Flats, Northumberland, an adult drake was shot out of a flock of common Wigeon.

It was recognised as being an unfamiliar species and was sent to the Hancock Museum by R. Allison of Holy Island. This is the first record of this rare visitor for Northumberland.'

A. W. Boyd (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. p. 230, in a review of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Report, says: 'A Baldpate, the first recorded in Northumberland, was shot on November 8th.'

Accepted locally (Galloway & Meek 1978-83; Kerr 2001).

19.0). 1952 Clyde Bothwell Bridge, Lanarkshire, male, 16th April.

(M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar, Scottish Naturalist 65: 116; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 67: 100).

History M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar (1953) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXV. p. 116, say: 'Bothwell Bridge, 16th April, one male (A. G. Gordon). The observer, who is familiar with the species in captivity, gives the following notes: "Pale forehead - paler than in Wigeon - practically white. Green head markings not strongly defined. General head colour, grey and green. General body colour, browny-purple. Rest of plumage and actions as Wigeon, but possibly slightly thicker set".'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter (1955) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVII. p. 100, in the annual review for 1953.

19.1). 1954 Clyde Hamilton, Lanarkshire, adult male, 13th March to 17th April; presumed same as 1952.

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 136; D. G. Andrew, M. F. M. Meiklejohn, H. Mayer-Gross, R. W. T. Smith & C. Walker, Scottish Naturalist 66: 123; M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar, Scottish Naturalist 67: 67; D. G. Andrew, G. Frazer, M. F. M. Meiklejohn, H. Mayer-Gross, R. W. T. Smith & C. Walker, British Birds 48: 84).

History K. Williamson (1954) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 136, says: 'A week later [6th March] Mr. H. Mayer-Gross, in company with M.F.M.M., picked out a Baldpate or American Wigeon male as it was swimming with a party of European Wigeon on the pool at the Hamilton rubbish-dump, - one of the most rewarding wildfowl haunts in the west of Scotland.

I had the pleasure of seeing this handsome bird, with its bronze plumage, white forehead and green-glossed head, in late March, and it was still there a month later.'

D. G. Andrew, M. F. M. Meiklejohn, H. Mayer-Gross, R. W. T. Smith & C. Walker (1954) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVI. p. 123, say: 'On 13th March 1954, at Hamilton rubbish-dump pool, a wigeon-like bird was seen, of which a detailed description has been furnished to the Editors. There is no doubt that it was an adult male Baldpate (Anas americana).

Our description differs in two points from The Handbook, but in each case other sources suggest that The Handbook is wrong.

Firstly, The Handbook says that americana and penelope are of the same size, whereas our bird was larger. Mr. J. A. Anderson, who knows the bird in the field, says americana is usually larger. Peterson (A field guide to the birds), Grinnell, Bryant and Storer (The game birds of California), and Phillips (A natural history of the ducks), all give a larger size for the Baldpate. According to Phillips, the bill-size is markedly greater, suggesting a heavier head, which we observed.

Secondly, The Handbook and Peterson show a very pale face for americana. Mr. Anderson agrees with our description.…The pictures in Phillips, and in Fitter and Richardson (The pocket guide to British birds), also come very close indeed to our bird. The bird may possibly be the same individual as that recorded from the same locality on 16th April 1952 (Scot. Nat. 65: 116).'

M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar (1955) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVII. p. 67, add: 'It stayed at the locality until 17th April.'

19.2). 1955 Clyde Hamilton, Lanarkshire, male, 3rd, 21st and 26th April; same, 6th and 20th November; presumed same as 1952, 1954.

(M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar, Scottish Naturalist 68: 157).

History M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar (1956) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVIII. p. 157, say: 'A male, doubtless the same as already reported (Scot. Nat., 66: 123 and 67: 67), was seen on the 'rubbish-dump poll' at Hamilton on the following dates: 3rd April (L. A. Urquhart), 21st and 26th April (M.F.M.M.), 6th November (H. Mayer-Gross) and 20th November (Miss M. I. Kinnear and G. Waterston).'

20.0). 1955 Northamptonshire Hollowell Reservoir, male, 12th November to 3rd December.

(R. Felton, Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society 1955: 94; Taylor MS., 1959).

History R. Felton (1955) in the Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society, p. 94, says: 'One bird, in company with Common Wigeon, at Hollowell Res. Nov. 12-20th. Description from notes take, 8 and 10 binoculars and 25 and 40 telescopes used.

Size - slightly larger and bulkier than Common Wigeon. Head - Frontal patch creamy rather than yellow, sides of face grey. The green eye stripes showed as a darker mark on the face. Wing - The white wing bar just noticeable, not as clear as on common form. Flanks - Reddish-brown. Tail - Under-tail coverts black, D.J.M., R.W., R.F.'

Taylor MS. (1959) says: 'A male was seen at Hollowell Reservoir on 12th November 1955 and on other dates until early December.'

20.1). 1956 Northamptonshire Pitsford Reservoir, male, 1st to 2nd January; same as 1955 individual.

(R. Felton, Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society 1956: 153; Taylor MS., 1959).

History R. Felton (1956) in the Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society, p. 153, says: 'One male seen at Pitsford res. on Jan. 1st and 2nd. Observed from only 35 yards distance (J.R.B., A.E.T., R.F.). See Journal No. 239 page 94.'

Taylor MS. (1959) says: 'A male, probably the same as 1955, was seen at Pitsford Reservoir on 1st and 2nd January 1956.'

20.2). 1956 Cambridgeshire Ouse Washes, male, 12th February; same as Northamptonshire.

(D. I. M. Wallace, Cambridge Bird Club Report 1956: 11; Bircham, 1989).

History D. I. M. Wallace (1956) in the Cambridge Bird Club Report, p. 11, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Ouse Washes, a drake on February 12th (I.C.T.N.).

Enquiries have shown that this bird may well have been an escape and this precludes full acceptance of the record.'

Bircham (1989: 66) says: 'On 12th February 1956 a male was on the Ouse Washes and could have been an escape.'

Comment It is highly likely that this is the same individual seen in Northants., during 1955-56.

21). 1956 Fife Morton Lochs, male, 12th to 13th October.

(J. Grierson, Scottish Birds 2: 133; Smout, 1986).

History J. Grierson (1962) in Scottish Birds, Vol. II. p. 133, under 'A Check-List of the birds of Tentsmuir, Fife', says: 'Baldpate. Dr John Berry saw a drake at Morton Lochs on 12th and 13th October 1956.'

Accepted locally (Smout 1986).

Comment Berry (1939) wrote The Status and Distribution of Wild Geese and Wild Duck in Scotland for the International Wildfowl Inquiry.

20.3). 1957 Northamptonshire Pitsford Reservoir, 2nd to 4th March; presumed returning individual.

(R. Felton, Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society 1958: 202; Taylor MS., 1959; http://www.northamptonshirewildlife.co.uk/npton/vag1.htm#amw).

History R. Felton (1958) in the Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society, Vol. XXXIII. p. 202, says: 'On at Pitsford res. on March 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Full field notes taken. (G.A., R.F., G.H.-G.).'

Taylor MS. (1959) says: 'One was again seen at Pitsford Reservoir 2nd to 4th March 1957.' Admitted on their web site as the 3rd county record.

22). 1957 North-east Scotland Meikle Loch, Aberdeenshire, adult male, 4th to 5th May.

(E. A. Garden, G. F. Raeburn, A. Tewnion & V. M. Thom, Scottish Naturalist 69: 196; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Birds 1: 31).

History E. A. Garden, G. F. Raeburn, A. Tewnion & V. M. Thom (1957) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIX. p. 196, say: 'On 4th and 5th May 1957, an adult male Baldpate (Anas americana) was seen at the Meikle Loch of Slains, near Newburgh, in company with about ten European Wigeon. On 4th May it was seen by E.A.G., G.F.R., and V.M.T. and on the 5th by A.T. and V.M.T.

The bird was observed on grass (when the white crown was particularly obvious) and on the water at distances from 100 yards to quarter of a mile. On 4th May the sky was overcast and the light poor, and on the 5th heavy snow-showers alternated with brilliant sunshine…It appeared to be slightly more heavily built than the accompanying Wigeon. The white crown was very conspicuous even at a considerable distance and in poor light, the rest of the head looking dark by comparison. Under slightly better light conditions the eye-stripe was visible, but it was only in full sunshine that the green colour could be distinguished. The red-brown sides contrasted markedly with the white flank-patch and black under tail-coverts. The horizontal white wing-patch was generally obscured and was seen only once when the bird was alert before taking wing. In flight the wing pattern was similar to that of the male European Wigeon.'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1837-38 Greater London Leadenhall Market, Middlesex, male, winter.

(Ed., Wood's Naturalist 3: 270; E. Blyth, Wood's Naturalist 3: 417; Yarrell, 1845; E. Blyth, Field 11th Apr., 1863: 339; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1864: 9024; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Saunders, 1899; BOU, 1915; Witherby, 1920-24).

[J. M. Collinson, British Birds 105: 325-331].

History In an Editorial (1838) in Wood's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 270, dated 11th April 1838, he says: 'A specimen of the American Wigeon, taken in the Lincolnshire Fens, was exhibited at the last meeting of the Zoological Society, by Mr. Blyth, being the first known instance of the occurrence of this species in Europe.'

Edward Blyth (1838) in Wood's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 417, says: 'The American Wigeon is a novelty which was obtained by Mr. Bartlett. He selected it from a row of Common Wigeons, deeming it, at the time, to be only an accidental variety of the species; there was a female along with it, which, after some hesitation, he unfortunately left, considering it only as a variety, but insufficiently diverse to be worth preserving; he has since, however, positively recognised the female of the American Wigeon to be identical with the bird he thus passed over, hesitatingly, in the market.

The dimensions of the male bird were 19 inches in length, and 32½ inches in extent of wing; Wilson's admeasurement of the species being palpably erroneous, as will appear on comparison with those which he has given of the Mallard. The beak is rather narrower than in its European relative, and nearly a quarter of an inch longer; the tracheal labyrinth, or rather osseous vesicle, considerably smaller; scarcely exceeding in magnitude that of a Teal.

The specimen now enriches the collection of E. Maude, Esq., of the Temple.'

Yarrell (1845 (3): 292-293, 2nd ed.) says: 'This occurrence of the American Wigeon in a London market during the winter of 1837-8, was thus noticed by Mr. Edward Blyth, in the third volume of the Naturalist, page 417....I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Bartlett for the opportunity afforded me of giving a figure, description, and measurements from his specimen.'

Further, pp. 295-296, he adds: 'In Mr. Bartlett's bird the beak is black; the irides hazel; behind the eye a green streak passing backward; forehead and top of the head dull white; neck, cheeks, and occiput, pale brownish white, freckled with black, the occipital feathers a little elongated; upper part of the back, the scapulars, and part of the wing-coverts reddish-brown, each feather crossed with minute zigzag blackish lines, some of the elongated scapulars falling over the wing-coverts; lower part of the back hair-brown; upper tail-coverts brown, barred with pale brown; tail-feathers uniform brown, slightly elongated and pointed; wing-coverts white, slightly varied with brown; the greater coverts tipped with black; the primaries uniform brown; the outer webs of the secondaries forming a green speculum, tipped with black; outer web of the tertials blackish-brown, inner web hair-brown; lower part of the neck in front reddish-brown, extending along under the wing to the flanks, which are barred with dark lines; breast, belly, and vent white; under tail-coverts brownish-black; legs, toes, and their membranes dark brown. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing ten inches; the second quill-feather the longest in the wing, but the first almost as long.'

Edward Blyth of The High Beeches, near Crawley (1863) in The Field, of 11th Apr., Vol. XXI. p. 339, says: 'In your paper of the 4th inst., p. 320, I observe a notice of a presumed specimen of the American Wigeon, Anas or Marica [sic] americana. You editorially remark that, "We have grave doubts whether the specimens mentioned by Mr. Blyth (Naturalist Vol. III. p. 417), or by Mr. Thompson (Ann. Nat. Hist., Vol. XV. p. 310), are really the American Wigeon.

The Common Wigeon is most versatile in its plumage, and every specimen shown to us as the American Wigeon has turned out to be a male of Anas penelope in imperfect plumage".

The specimen noticed by me was procured by Mr. A. D. Bartlett (the present superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, Regent's-park) in Leadenhall-market. He showed it to me in the flesh, asking my opinion about it; I did not then know the American bird, and I remarked that it looked very like a hybrid between the Common Wigeon and the Teal. Under that impression I exhibited the specimen shortly afterwards at a meeting of the Zoological Society, where Mr. Gould at once recognised it as the American Wigeon, and put a specimen of that bird beside it for comparison.

There was no doubt about the correctness of the identification. I was present when the bird was skinned, and preserved its tracheal labyrinth, which is not larger than that of a Teal, as given by Mr. Yarrell from an American specimen; about half the size, if I remember rightly, of that of the European Wigeon.

Also, if I remember right, for I have not the necessary books here to refer to, Mr. Yarrell's figure of the American Wigeon was taken from the identical specimen described by me.'

J. H. Gurney (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9024, dated 11th March 1864, says: 'In The Zoologist of this month (Zool. 8962) reference is made to the claim of the American Wigeon to a place in the list of British birds, and to the specimen procured several years since in Leadenhall market, by Mr. A. D. Bartlett.

This specimen was purchased by me from Mr. Bartlett: it is a male in full plumage, and therefore there can be no mistake as to the species; and having been obtained long before the commencement of the present system of sending over wild fowl from America in the flesh, there can be no doubt of its having been killed either in the British Islands or on the Continent of Europe.'

Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 404, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'The Author was indebted to Mr. Bartlett for the opportunity of giving a figure, description, and measurements from this specimen: now in the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney, and, apparently, the only authentic British-taken example in existence; assuming that it really was killed in this country, of which there is no actual proof.'

Seebohm (1885 (2): 543) says: 'During the winter of 1837-38 an adult male American Wigeon was bought in the flesh in Leadenhall Market by Mr. Bartlett, the present Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park (Yarr. Hist. Brit. B., III. p. 293). This example may possibly have been sent over from Holland; it is now in Mr. J. H. Gurney's collection.'

Saunders (1899: 439, 2nd ed.) adds: 'This specimen - a male - is now in the collection of J. H. Gurney, and we may fairly assume that it was really taken in this country.'

Admitted nationally in their second List of British Birds (BOU 1915). Witherby (1920-24) says: 'Male identified and female probably, at London market, winter 1837-8.'

J. M. Collinson (2012) in British Birds, Vol. CV. p. 328, states that: 'In 1864 the provenance of the American Wigeon was openly doubted (Newman 1864), and it is surprising that this bird is still accepted.'

Comment The female has been ignored by most authors, and is unacceptable. I am amazed that a bird found on a market stall, which could have been from anywhere, has been accepted by most authors.

The Editors (R. C. Homes, S. Cramp & D. I. M. Wallace) of The Birds of London Area (1964) make no mention of an American Wigeon, so presumably not accepted locally, but no one knows if it was within 25 miles of St Paul's.

Lorand & Atkin (1989) do not admit this record although they are aware of birds being sent to London from Lincolnshire at that time.

0). 1841 North-east Scotland Burn of Boyndie, Banff, male, shot, January.

(T. Edward, Zoologist 1860: 6970; Harting, 1872).

[Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Saunders, 1899; Not in Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].

History Thomas Edward of Banff (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. p. 6970, says: 'A mutilated male specimen of this rare duck, shot on the Burn of Boyndie, in January, 1841, was for many years in my possession.'

Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 404, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'As nothing further has been heard of these rarities, the accuracy of the identification must remain in doubt.'

Seebohm (1885 (2): 543) says: 'The second reputed occurrence of this bird in our islands is recorded (Edward, Zoologist, 1860, p. 6970) as a male shot on the Burn of Boyndie, in Banffshire, in January 1841.'

Saunders (1899: 439, 2nd ed.) says: 'Thomas Edward, of Banff, has enumerated, among his many unauthenticated rarities, another, shot on the Burn of Boyndie in January 1841, but afterwards thrown away.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

Thomas Edward was given a state pension by Queen Victoria for all his amazing involvement with Natural History around Banff. See Smiles (1889) Life of a Scotch Naturalist, for a biography of Edward.

0). c. 1860 Norfolk Near Yarmouth, shot, undated.

(J. Playford, Field 15th Dec., 1860: 497; J. Playford, Field 5th Jan., 1861: 9).

[H. Stevenson, Field 22nd Dec., 1860: 519].

History J. H. Playford of Great Yarmouth (1860) in The Field of 15th Dec., Vol. XVI. p. 497, says: 'Within the last five years I have procured the following named birds, all of which have been killed within twelve miles of Yarmouth, and preserved for me by Mr. Knights [sic], of Norwich: ...American Wigeon...I should be glad to show my birds to any one desirous of seeing them.'

H. Stevenson of Norwich (1860) in The Field of 22nd Dec., Vol. XVI. p. 519, says: 'Having read the very tempting list of birds under the heading, recorded in last week's Field by Mr. J. Playford.…In looking through the list, as given by Mr. Playford, I am able to recognise several specimens which I saw when in the hands of the birdstuffer, but there are others which I shall only be too happy to have satisfactorily proved to me to have been killed "within five miles of Yarmouth, during the last five years". I allude to a pair of Orange-legged Hobbies, the Harlequin Duck, and the American Wigeon.

Is Mr. Playford quite sure he is correct in publishing these as local specimens? I have certainly taken the greatest pains for the last ten years to obtain authentic notices of the rare birds that occur on the Norfolk coast, of which records have appeared from time to time in The Zoologist; but as to these three species, I have no notes within that period, nor can I ascertain from the birdstuffer, Mr. Knight, that he has had as other than foreign specimens.

The American Wigeon has never, I believe, been added to the 'Norfolk list', unless Mr. Playford's specimen is undoubtedly of that species and obtained in this neighbourhood.

I have, however, been offered American Wigeon more than once - and killed in this county - which, on careful inspection, were no more than young males of the common species, late hatched, and bearing in a state of change the plumage of both male and female.'

J. Playford (1861) in The Field of 5th Jan., Vol. XVII. p. 9, says: 'In answer to Mr. Stevenson, as to some of the birds I mentioned in my list being killed within twelve miles (not five miles) of Yarmouth...The American Wigeon (or what I suppose is so) was killed on Breydon; it answers Yarrell's description, and is cased with the common species, between which there is a great difference.'

Comment Probably misidentified. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1862 Essex Maldon, immature male, shot, November.

("C.A.W." Field 4th Apr., 1863: 320).

[C. R. Bree, Field 11th Apr., 1863: 339].

History "C.A.W." (1863) in The Field, of 4th Apr., Vol. XXI. p. 320, says: 'A fine specimen of the above-mentioned bird has come into my possession during the past winter. It was shot by a duck-shooter at Maldon, Essex, in November last. Can any of your correspondents give any information about this bird? I believe it to be very rare; and can only find mention made of it occurring in England in two instances. My specimen is of an adult female, but still questionably genuine.' [Our correspondent should submit his specimen to a competent ornithologist, whose name ought to be published as a voucher for the correctness of the name of the bird. His fellow-townsman, Dr. Bree, would, we have no doubt, willingly give an opinion upon it.

We have grave doubts whether the specimens mentioned by Mr. Blyth (Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 417), or by Mr. Thompson (Ann. Nat. Hist., Vol. XV. p. 310), are really the American Wigeon (Anas americana). The Common Wigeon is most versatile in its plumage, and every specimen shown to us as the American Wigeon has turned out to be a male of Anas penelope in imperfect plumage. - Ed.]

C. R. Bree of Colchester (1863) in The Field of 11th Apr., Vol. XXI. p. 339, says: 'The supposed specimen of this bird mentioned by "C.A.W." in your last number, had a day or two previous to the publication of your suggestion been kindly sent down to me by that gentleman for examination. It is a young male of the Common Wigeon (Anas penelope) moulting.

It is, I think, an old specimen, as the beak and primaries have the appearance of having faded by exposure to strong light, and then been 'polished up' again; done, of course, before it was sold to "C.A.W." as an "undoubted" specimen of American Wigeon for 2s 6d.'

Christy (1890: 201) says: 'A young male Common Wigeon in moult, shot at Maldon in Nov., 1862, was erroneously recorded in The Field of 4th April, 1862, as an American Wigeon by "C.A.W.".'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable. For Edward Blyth's response to the identification of the 1837 record, see under that record.

0). 1864 Essex Coastal locality, female, shot, 6th February.

(S. H. Carter, Field 13th Feb., 1864: 118; S. H. Carter, Zoologist 1864: 8962; Harting, 1872).

[Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Saunders, 1899; Not in Cox, 1984].

History Samuel Howell Carter of Marsh Lane, Tottenham (1864) in The Field of 13th Feb., Vol. XXIII. p. 118, says: 'I shot on the Essex coast last Saturday, a beautiful specimen of the American Wigeon (a female); and according to one or two works I have referred to, only two or three of that kind of Wigeon have been procured in England, so that it is worth recording in your columns.'

Samuel Howell Carter of Tottenham (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 8962, undated, extracted from The Field says: 'I shot on the Essex coast, last Saturday, a beautiful female specimen of the American Wigeon.'

[The claim of this bird to a place in the British list is very questionable: the first supposed specimen was bought in Leadenhall Market; the second record was never substantiated by the production of the specimen. Edward Newman].

Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 404, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'As nothing further has been heard of these rarities, the accuracy of the identification must remain in doubt.'

Seebohm (1885 (3): 543) says: 'A fourth record of a female shot on the Essex coast in January 1864 (Carter, Zoologist, 1864, p. 8962) requires the identification of some competent authority before it can be accepted.'

Christy (1890: 201) says: '...is very vague and unsatisfactory, though accepted by Harting (1872: 159). The whereabouts of the specimen is not now known, and the whole record is so utterly unsubstantiated that no reliance must be placed on it.'

Saunders (1899: 439, 2nd ed) after listing the first British record, goes on to say: '...that two further records published in The Zoologist are so utterly unsubstantiated as to be unworthy of serious consideration.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable. The 13th February was a Saturday, so the date it was shot was the 6th February.

0). 1870 Devon River Taw, near Barnstaple, shot, about 20th April.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1870: 2182; Harting, 1872; Pidsley, 1891).

[Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Saunders, 1899; Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History Murray A. Mathew of Bishop's Lydeard (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2182, dated 3rd May, 1870, says: 'I hear from Barnstaple of the occurrence of the American Wigeon on the Taw. A specimen of this species, supposed to be a young Mallard, was shot about the 20th of April.'

Recorded by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 404, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who adds: 'As nothing further has been heard of these rarities, the accuracy of the identification must remain in doubt.'

Seebohm (1885 (3): 543-544), says: 'A fifth record is still more unsatisfactory, apparently resting only on hearsay evidence, alleging that a specimen was shot, about the 20th of April 1870, on the Taw, in Devonshire (Mathew, Zoologist, 1870, p. 2182).'

Pidsley (1891: 103) says: 'A specimen of this species, supposed to be a young male, was shot about the 20th of April (Zool., 1870, p. 2182).

He kindly writes that this bird, "at the time was pronounced to be that species [American Wigeon] by Professor Newton, Mr. Harting, and the Rev. W. S. Hore. I still believe it to be Mareca americana.

It was certainly shot at large on the River Taw, and was seen by my old friend, the Rev. W. S. Hore before it was skinned. It is in a very queer state of plumage, but is very different to an ordinary Wigeon. It is still in my collection". (in litt., April 18th, 1890).'

Comment Lacks adequate details. Locally, the first acceptable record for Devon was in 1983. Not acceptable.

0). 1876 Sussex Cuckmere Haven, shot, December.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[Walpole-Bond, 1938].

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 3-4) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'It would be improper not to mention that Mr. F. Wise claims to have shot an American Wigeon, Anas americana, Gm., at Cuckmere Haven, near Seaford, during December, 1876 (I derived this information from Mr. E. C. Arnold's 'Private Notes'.). But as to this notice, the bird cannot be traced, and I know nothing of Mr. Wise's powers of discrimination.'

0). 1895 Yorkshire Leeds, immature male, obtained at a game stall on 26th February, now at Leeds Museum.

(R. Payne-Gallwey, Field 9th Mar., 1895: 311; Saunders, 1899; Nelson, 1907; Witherby, 1920-24; Mather, 1986).

[G. C. Low, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 51: 108].

History Ralph Payne-Gallwey of Thirkleby Park, Thirsk (1895) in The Field of 9th Mar., Vol. LXXXV. p. 311, says: 'On Feb. 26, Mr. R. Lee, taxidermist, of Thirsk, obtained in Leeds an adult female American Wigeon.

It was hanging up for sale with several common Wigeon in the shop of Mr. Murray, game dealer, who had just received it with the other birds from the coast. I saw this bird when quite fresh, and it had pellets of shot in it with which it had been lately killed. It proved on dissection to be a female, though it has the green eye stripe and speckled neck and forehead of the male, but the crown is dark and there is a good deal of chestnut on the flanks and a little on the breast.

The only British killed specimen of this bird, so far as I know, is one in the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney, bought in London in the winter of 1837-38. The one now recorded I have secured for my own collection.'

Saunders (1899: 439, 2nd ed.) says: 'Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey obtained in the flesh a young male, which had been recently selected from a number of Common Wigeon, Anas penelope, at a Leeds game-stall, and its portrait appears in the late Lord Lilford's Coloured Figures of British Birds.'

Locally, Nelson (1907 (2): 462) adds: 'The specimen, probably a young male, was exhibited at the Zoological Society's meeting on 2nd April 1895 and was figured in Lord Lilford's work', while Mather (1986: 140) adds: 'It is a young male and I have inspected the mounted specimen, which is now in the City of Leeds Museum.'

It was admitted nationally (Witherby 1920-24).

G. Carmichael Low, Editor (1931) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. LI. p. 108, at the 346th Meeting of the Club held on 13th May 1931 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: '...Mr. Witherby stated that there were very few occurrences of the American Wigeon which were not open to the suspicion of being birds which might have been put down full-winged or might have been the progeny of semi-captive birds....There were also two older records from game-stalls, but the origin of these birds was uncertain. In view of the fact that other species which had been put down full-winged had been proved to wander widely, it might be said that most of the records of American Wigeon were open to doubt.'

Comment Payne-Gallwey was a gentleman gunner who also wrote on the subject. He also visited Ireland. Identification is proven but it is another individual from a market tall that should be reviewed.

0). 1908 Sussex Brighton, adult male, obtained, 20th March.

(J. G. Dalgleish, Zoologist 1908: 156).

[Walpole-Bond, 1938].

History J. G. Dalgleish (1908) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XII. p. 156, says: 'On March 20th, whilst in Brighton, I saw exposed for sale in a fishmonger's shop a number of Wigeon. One bird in particular attracted my attention, as it had a broad band of metallic green running from the eye on each side of the head such as one sees in the Common Teal. Would this be the American Wigeon (M. americana) ?

I was in a great hurry at the time to catch a train, so could not stop to make inquiries as from whence the bird came. It was, however, in very poor condition, and had apparently been dead several days.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 4) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Mr. J. G. Dalgleish (Zool., 1908, p. 156) undoubtedly did see an adult drake of this species in a fishmonger's shop in Brighton on March 20th, 1908.…Mr. Dalgleish was in a hurry, thus being unable to get at the specimen's history, though even if it had been proved a Sussex 'kill', who is to say that it was not an escaped importation?'

0). 1918 Dumfries & Galloway Longbridgemuir, Dumfriesshire, male, shot, November.

(Gladstone, 1923; Witherby, 1920-24; Saunders & Clarke, 1927).

[Gladstone, 1923; Not in Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].

History Gladstone (1923: 85, 86) says: 'I am informed that a male of this species was shot by Mr. James Kirkpatrick near Longbridgemuir (Ruthwell) about the end of November, 1918, and, though it found its way to the kitchen, was identified before being so inappropriately dealt with. It was not alone but in company with five or six more birds which, to Mr. Kirkpatrick, seemed of the same species...it must be remembered that Sir Richard Graham has bred this species, as well as many other rare ducks, fully-winged, at Netherby, Cumberland.…I prefer to place this record of the American Wigeon within square brackets.'

Witherby (1924 (2): 899) says: 'Sir Richard Graham had at Netherby in 1914 twenty full-winged hybrid Wigeon and American Wigeon which disappeared during the war, and this may account for an American Wigeon shot in Dumfriesshire in November 1918 (H. S. Gladstone, Notes on the Birds of Dumfriesshire, 1923).'

Comment Probable escape. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1925 Hertfordshire Wilstone Reservoir, Tring, male, 5th April.

(C. Oldham, Hertfordshire Natural History Society Transactions 18: 153; Sage, 1959).

[Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52; Sage, 1959; Gladwin & Sage, 1986].

History C. Oldham (1925) in the Hertfordshire Natural History Society Transactions, Vol. XVIII. p. 153, says: 'A male at Wilstone Reservoir on 5th April. Its white crown, grey-spotted cheeks, and vinaceous flanks and mantle distinguished it at once from the Common Wigeon, a number of which were on the water. It was closely associated with a female Wigeon during the hour that I watched it.

This female was, I thought, less rufous than a female Common Wigeon, and may well have been an American, but, be that as it may, it is hardly likely that the bird or birds were really wild, for the American Wigeon is an extremely rare wanderer to Britain, and its appearance from time to time on our lakes and reservoirs is no doubt usually due to birds having escaped from captivity; they are esteemed for their beautiful plumage, and are often kept nowadays on ornamental waters.'

Sage (1959) says: 'Seen by Charles Oldham and almost certainly an escape.'

0). 1931 Norfolk Rush Hills, Hickling Broad, male, shot, 15th September.

(Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

[Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009].

History Seago (1977) didn't know of any American Wigeon for Norfolk.

Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling (1999) who as far as I am aware are the first recorders of this record, say: 'This male specimen was shot on Rush Hills, Hickling on 15th September 1931. It was sent by Jim Vincent to the Castle Museum, Norwich, but enquiries and searches in 1990 were unsuccessful.'

Dye, Fiszer & Allard (2009: 47) say: 'A male shot by Ralph Watling at Rush Hills, Hickling Broad on 15th September 1931 was sent to the Castle Museum, Norwich, on 17th September by Jim Vincent who at the time was the keeper of the Whiteslea Estate at Hickling. However, recorded in the 1931 Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk is the fact that a Chiloe Wigeon was shot at Hickling Broad on 14th or 15th September, with no mention of an American Wigeon.

Early in 2008 a enquiry at the Castle Museum found that a Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix shot at Hickling on 19th September 1931 was presented to the museum by Lord Desborough in 1931. Its accession number is NWHCM:1931.148 and was originally recorded in the accession register as an American Wigeon.'

Comment Misidentified. Mis-recorded. Not acceptable.

0). 1933 Anglesey No locality, two, shot, January.

(Jones & Whalley, 2004).

[Jones & Whalley, 2004].

History Jones & Whalley (2004: 177) say: 'Two birds were shot on the island in January 1933, but were thought to be escaped birds.'

0). 1936 Clyde Summerston, Renfrewshire, male, seen, 20th May.

(M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar, Scottish Naturalist 64: 28-29).

[M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar, Scottish Naturalist 64: 28-29].

History M. F. M. Meiklejohn & C. E. Palmar (1952) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXXII. pp. 28-29, under 'Recent Notes on the Birds of the Clyde Area', say: 'A drake of this species was seen by Nicol Hopkins at Summerston on 20th May 1936 at a distance of about thirty yards.

The following features were noted: "size of Wigeon Anas penelope…chest and flanks dull chestnut; rest of underparts white; white wing patch; head white, speckled black with greenish tinge; also a green stripe from eye to back of neck".

We agree with Mr. Hopkin's identification of this bird, but regret that, after this interval of years, it will be impossible to establish whether it was an 'escape' or not. The date perhaps is unusual for the occurrence of a genuinely wild bird.'

Comment Mr. Hopkins also saw six Little Buntings in Ayrshire in 1908 which were rejected. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1943 Buckinghamshire Great Meadow Pond, 10th June.

(Fraser & Youngman, 1976).

[Fraser & Youngman, 1976; Lack & Ferguson, 1993].

History Fraser & Youngman (1976) state that what was almost certainly an escape was seen on Great Meadow Pond on 10th June 1943.

Locally, Lack & Ferguson (1993) do not record any records of American Wigeon, rejected or not.

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

American Wigeon

Mareca americana (Gmelin, JF, 1789) (15, 7)

Blue-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal