Baikal Teal
Sibirionetta formosa Georgi, 1775 (1, 0)
Photo © By Pallav Pranjal - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81092864
STATUS
Siberia. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Formerly known as the Bimaculated Duck. Prior to 1984 this species was placed in Category D, but, following the acceptance of two sight records, one on Fair Isle in 1954, the other in Dumfries & Galloway in 1973, the species was added to Category A of the British List (BOURC 1984).
After important new evidence relating to vagrancy in the species a further review by A. H. J. Harrop & R. Y. McGowan (2009) resulted in the 1906 Essex record being added to Category A of the British List and all other records rejected.
RECORD
1). 1906 Essex Marsh House Decoy, Maldon, immature male, shot, 1st January, now at Chelmsford Museum (Acc. No. CHMER E9108).
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 16: 80-81; Eds., Field 26th May 1906: 858; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1907: 122; Glegg, 1929; Wood, 2007; BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 199; A. H. J. Harrop & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 102: 691-696, plate 445; S. C. Votier, G. J. Bowen & J. Newton, British Birds 102: 697-699).
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1906) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XVI. pp. 80-81, at the 125th Meeting of the Club held on 20th June 1906 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'On behalf of Mr. J. E. Harting, Mr. H. Scherren exhibited a supposed hybrid Duck, which had been taken in the Marsh Farm Decoy at Bradwell, near Maldon, Essex, during the past winter. It proved, however, to be an immature male of the Baikal Teal (Nettion formosum) assuming the adult plumage, and had, no doubt, escaped from some ornamental water.'
In an Editorial (1906) in The Field of 25th May, Vol. CVII. p. 858, he says: 'The capture of an example of the Baikal or Japanese Teal (Querquedula formosa) in a wildfowl decoy in Essex during the past winter seems worthy of being recorded, although it is quite possible that it may have escaped from some owner of ornamental wildfowl.
It was taken on Jan. 1 last in the decoy belonging to Mr. William Sewell, of Tillingham Hall, Southminster, and was the only bird of the kind seen, the others captured on the same day being the ordinary duck and Mallard, with several Wigeon. Being in immature plumage, its species was not at first recognised, and, in the opinion of several ornithologists to whom it was shown, there were certain points about it which suggested that it might be a hybrid between the Pintail and some other species.
After being exhibited at a meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club it was forwarded to the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, for examination and comparison with the fine series of ducks in the national collection, when Mr. Ogilvie-Grant reported that the bird was undoubtedly an immature male of the Baikal Teal.'
J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 122, says: 'January 1st. While a still rare one, if it had not escaped - the Baikal Teal - was taken in Essex.'
Wood (2007) states that it is now in Chelmsford Museum.
Admitted nationally in their 38th Report as the first for Britain (BOURC (2010) Ibis 152: 199).
NOT PROVEN
0). 1771 County unknown No locality, male, obtained, undated.
(Pennant, 1776; N. Vigors, Linnean Transactions 14: 560; Yarrell, 1845).
[BOU, 1971].
History Pennant (1776 (2): 602-603) says: 'The length is twenty inches; extent twenty-five and a half. Bill a deep lead colour: nail black. Crown, brown changeable with green, ending in a streak of brown at the hind part of the head, with a small crest. Between the bill and the eye, and behind each ear, a ferruginous spot. The first round: the last oblong and large. Throat of a fine deep purple. The rest of the head of a bright green, continued in streaks down the neck. Head a light ferruginous brown, spotted with black: hind part of the neck, and back, dark brown waved with black. Coverts of the wings ash coloured: lower coverts streaked with rust colour: scapulars cinereous: quill feathers brownish cinereous. Secondaries of a fine green, ending in a shade of black, and edged with white. Coverts of the tail a deep changeable green. Twelve feathers in the tail: two middle-most black; the others brown edged with white. Belly dusky, finely granulated. Legs final, and yellow. Webs dusky. Taken in a decoy near in 1771. Communicated to me by Poore Esq.'.
N. Vigors (1825) in the Linnean Transactions, Vol. XIV. pp. 560-561, says: 'The male of this species was first described by Mr. Pennant in his British Zoology, under the name of Bimaculated Duck, and introduced as an inhabitant of the British Islands in the following words: - "Taken in a decoy in 1771, and communicated to me by Poore, Esq.".
The same bird was afterwards described and figured by Dr. Pallas in the Acta Stockholmiensia for 1779 as a native of Siberia, frequenting Lake Baikal and the River Lena; and was named by him Anas glocitans.
On the authority of Mr. Pennant the species has subsequently been included among the Birds of Great Britain by writers on British Ornithology; but no further account has reached us of the specimen alluded to by that distinguished naturalist, nor has it been ascertained whether it was preserved after it was communicated to him. The specimens of both male and female, from which I have taken the above description, were sent up from a decoy near Maldon in Essex, to Leadenhall-market, in the winter of 1812-13. Here they were observed by a respectable naturalist (Mr. George Weighton, of Fountain Place, City-road), who immediately purchased them and set them up. From his collection they have subsequently passed into mine. There can be little doubt of the two birds being sexes of the same species.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 260, 2nd ed.) says: 'The British historical notice of this prettily marked duck was thus given by Mr. Vigors, in November 1824. The male of this species was first described by Pennant in his British Zoology, under the name of Bimaculated Duck, and introduced as an inhabitant of the British Islands, in the following words: "Taken in a decoy in 1771, and communicated to me by Edward Poore, Esq.".'
0). 1812-13 Essex Near Maldon, pair, winter.
(Anon., Zoological Journal 1: 585; Yarrell, 1845).
[BOU, 1971].
History Anon. (1824) in the Zoological Journal, Vol. I. p. 585, says: 'October 26. - The Secretary exhibited two specimens, male and female, of the Anas glocitans, Pennant, which had been taken in a decoy near Maldon in Essex, and sent to Leadenhall market in the winter of 1812-13. He pointed out the difference of the species from the rest of the European Anatidae, and its station in that family.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 261, 2nd ed.) says: 'The specimen of both male and female, from which I have taken the description, were sent up from a decoy near Maldon in Essex, to Leadenhall market, in the winter of 1812-13. Here they were observed by a respectable naturalist, Mr. George Weighton, of Fountain Place, City-road, who immediately purchased them and set them up. From his collection they have subsequently passed into mine.
There can be little doubt of the two birds being sexes of the same species. They agree in all the essential particulars that serve to identify the species of this family; their bill, legs, and feet, exactly according in structure, and the colouring and markings of the speculum on the wings, a distinguishing character among the Anatidae, being precisely the same. We have moreover, in favour of this conclusion, the negative evidence that the other sex of neither of these birds has until now been ascertained; and we have the positive evidence that both these specimens were taken in the same decoy and at the same time.'
0). 1843 County unknown Leadenhall Market, adult male, undated.
(Yarrell, 1845).
[BOU, 1971].
History Yarrell (1845 (3): 262, 2nd ed.) says: 'Since the publication of the first edition of this work, Mr. Bartlett has obtained a specimen of a male in the London market, and there is one in the Chinese exhibition, indicating that it is a bird of that country.
The following is Mr. Selby's description of the adult male, taken from the specimen 'Bill blackish-grey, passing towards the base and edges into orange-yellow. Front, crown, and occiput, very deep reddish-brown, glossed with purplish-black, and passing upon the hind part of the neck into deep violet-purple. Between the bill and eyes, and behind the ear-coverts, are two large irregular patches of chestnut-brown, margined and varied with white. Sides of the neck and cheeks glossy duck-green, the rest of the upper part of the neck, and sides of the breast, reddish-brown, with oval black spots. The middle part of the breast pale reddish-brown, also spotted with black. Ground colour of the mantle pale sienna-yellow, undulated with black lines. Scapulars the same, tipped with glossy Scotch-blue. Wing-coverts hair-brown, the lower range having pale wood-brown tips. Speculum dark green, glossed with purple. Upper and under tail-coverts greenish-black, glossed with purple. Tail wedge-shaped, with the two middle feathers black, narrow, acuminate, and much longer than the rest, which are hair-brown, margined with white. Belly and abdomen yellowish-white, with undulating black lines, most distinct upon the flanks. Legs and feet pale orange.'
0) 1846 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, female, 9th December.
(R. F. Tomes, Zoologist 1847: 1698-1699).
[BOU, 1971].
History R. F. Tomes (1847) in The Zoologist, Vol. V. pp. 1847: 1698-1699, says: 'On the 9th of last December I obtained a female of the Bimaculated Duck from Leadenhall Market, where it had been sent from Yarmouth. Mr. Yarrell, to whom I showed it when freshly skinned, expressed an opinion that it was a hybrid, but very kindly gave me access to the specimens in the Zoological Society's Museum, and on a comparison with the female specimen of the Bimaculated Duck which formed a part of Mr. Vigors' collection, it proved to be identical with that species, differing only in having a somewhat darker mark through the eye, the top of the head having the markings darker, and the plumage generally not quite so much tinged with rufous. The buff of the chin and throat is also purer and rather more extensive, as well as being better defined. The speculum, too, does not reflect quite so purple a tint, being a very bright green.
However, these are very slight differences, and such as I find, by examination, to exist between female individuals of the common wild duck, which very nearly resembles the female of the Bimaculated Duck, except in size. This specimen measured, when fresh, 17 inches from the point of the bill to the end of the tail, and in stretch of wings 27 inches. The irides reddish-brown. The stomach was half-filled with fine sand. It had evidently been decoyed, as the neck was dislocated.
This specimen makes the fifth recorded to have been taken in England. The first is the one mentioned by Pennant; the second and third, the specimens in the Zoological Society's Museum; and a fourth, obtained by Mr. Bartlett in 1843. All, except Pennant's, have been obtained from Leadenhall Market.
Several continental naturalists have mentioned the Bimaculated Duck, but I cannot learn where they have obtained their specimens. Pallas, I believe, figured it, so has Meyer, and Temminck speaks of its being subject to variety, yet no foreign specimens have ever found their way to our museums or private collections; at least not any that I can gain any intelligence of. Perhaps some of your numerous correspondents can give some information on this subject.
An opinion has lately been expressed, that this species is nothing more than a cross between the Pintail and Widgeon, but to me there appeals very slight evidence of this; the buff colour of the bar across the secondaries, in the male Bimaculated Duck, immediately above the speculum, being the only respect in which it in any degree resembles the male pintail. To the male Wigeon there are no points of resemblance.
Mr. Bartlett, has, however, suggested to me a far more probable cross, which is, between the wild duck and teal, and on subsequent examination, I have found considerable evidence in favour of this, but at the same time several peculiarities which remain unexplained. I will endeavour briefly to state the result of these investigations.
The back of the male Bimaculated Duck very greatly resembles that of the Mallard, but has the long yellow mark on the elongated scapulars, which is so conspicuous in the male teal. The tertials, immediately above, and as it were, parallel with the speculum, exactly resemble those of the mallard. The speculum itself resembles most nearly the mallard's, being of a brilliant green; in the teal it is half green and half black. The lesser wing-coverts resemble the Mallard's, as do the primaries and tail. The two middle feathers of the upper tail coverts are the same colour as in the mallard, and very slightly curled upwards. The breast is an exact mixture of the two species, having the purplish-chestnut of the mallard mixed with the spots of the teal.
Having now stated some of the principal points of resemblance to such a cross, I will state in what respects it differs.
First, then, the supposition of its being a hybrid between the Teal and wild duck does not in any degree explain the two peculiar spots on the cheeks indeed it so nearly resembles the Japan Teal (Anas formosa), in the form and position of these spots or marks, (an undoubted species and true duck), that one might be almost led to think it as constituting a generic character. It is true, that the head is a mixture of green and chestnut, and so far is a mixture of the teal and mallard. The next dissenting point is the buff bar across, above the speculum, which in the teal is white, slightly tinged with buff, and in the mallard white, which is again tipped with black, making a double bar.
Much more might be said on this subject but I hope enough has been said to draw the attention of those to the subject who may be fortunate enough to procure a fresh male specimen of this rare bird: in which case, I most sincerely hope that accurate measurements may be taken, and the trachea preserved, which in the males of the duck tribe forms a very distinctive character: the sternum too would be valuable. Unfortunately, I was not aware of the rarity of my specimen until the body had been thrown away.
Until a fresh male specimen can be obtained and examined, I fear the uncertainty which at present exists respecting this species will scarcely be cleared away. Mr. George Gray, to whom I have shown the specimen, thinks the supposition of its being a hybrid a very probable one. Since writing the above, I have received a note from Mr. Bartlett, in which he speaks of two hybrid ducks, an account of which has been transmitted to him by a friend at Shrewsbury; which, if I understand him correctly, are a cross between the Pintail and Wigeon.
He says, "They are 24 inches long, and want the markings on the breast to make them like the Bimaculated Duck; the middle tail-feathers are more than an inch longer than the rest". The fresh specimen of the female Bimaculated Duck, it will be remembered, measured but 17 inches. I sincerely apologize for writing so lengthy a paper to occupy the space of your most valuable journal.'
0). 1911 Devon Near Plymouth, adult male, shot, 26th January.
(J. G. Millais, British Birds 4: 348).
[M. Bedford, British Birds 4: 370; H. Noble, British Birds 4: 370; BOU, 1971].
History J. G. Millais (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 348, in a Letter, says: 'Sirs, - On February 3rd I received in the flesh an adult male Baikal Teal (Nettion formosum), which was shot by a coast-gunner near Plymouth on January 26th, 1911. The specimen was first noticed by my friend, Mr. Charles Tracy, who sent the bird to me as something he had not seen before. The bird was very fat but somewhat decomposed at the time of arrival, but I have managed to make a good skin of it.
The position of the Baikal Teal as a British bird is at present somewhat doubtful, but it has as much claim to inclusion in our lists as many foreign visitors, for there is no reason that it should not visit us amongst the mass of duck that are bred in Siberia and come westwards in winter. On the other hand, numbers of imported Baikal Teal are now on private waters in this country, whilst it has undoubtedly bred at Woburn and probably elsewhere.'
[We should not accept the addition of the Baikal Teal to the British list for the very reason that it is so frequently kept in captivity, and therefore liable to escape. It is said to have been obtained in France and Italy, but its usual winter-quarters are in China and Japan. - Eds.]
Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 370, in a Letter, says: 'Sirs, - It is more than likely that the Baikal Teal reported in the April number of British Birds (p. 348) had escaped from Woburn. We have a large number of full-winged birds, and I counted fifteen flying together a short time ago.'
Heatley Noble (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 370, in a Letter, says: 'Sirs, - I expect we shall soon hear of numerous 'British' killed Baikal Teal from the fact that the price of live birds has recently dropped from six or seven guineas per pair to less than one-third of that sum. I do not know where the dealers obtain their stock, but the market is now full of them.'
0). 1915 Hampshire Winchester, male, shot, undated.
(A. H. Baring, Field 9th Feb., 1928: 244; N. B. Kinnear, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 49: 35-37; BOURC (1991), Ibis 133: 221).
[BOURC (1993), Ibis 135: 495].
History A. H. Baring (1928) in The Field of 9th Feb., Vol. CLI. p. 244, says: 'One of these birds, a drake in full plumage was shot at Winchester on the Itchen about 1915. So many had been imported alive during the years immediately preceding the war that the price, if I am not mistaken, fell as low as 20/- per pair. For this reason I felt certain that the bird was an escape, and did not trouble to record it. It would be interesting to know if they have ever bred in this country.'
N. B. Kinnear, Editor (1928) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XLIX. pp. 35-37, at the 322nd Meeting of the Club held on 14th November 1928 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. Hugh Whistler exhibited a Baikal Teal (Anas gloscitans) which he had himself shot at Battle....The exhibitor also stated that he put a notice into The Field of 26th January 1928, recording this occurrence, and asking whether any Baikal Teal were known to be kept in England and, if so, whether any had escaped.
The only reply was from Mr. A. H. Baring, who stated that before the War there had been a large importation of these birds on one occasion and that he had therefore not recorded a full-plumaged drake which he had shot at Winchester on the Itchin about 1915. The present specimen, however, could hardly have had any connection with that batch of birds....'
A. H. J. Harrop & R. Y. McGowan (2009) in British Birds, Vol. CII. p. 694, say: 'Identification not proven.'
0). 1927 Sussex Battle, male, shot, 14th November.
(H. Whistler, Field 26th Jan., 1928: 120; A. H. Baring, Field 9th Feb., 1928: 244; N. B. Kinnear, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 49: 35-37; BOURC (1991), Ibis 133: 221).
[Walpole-Bond, 1938; BOURC (1993), Ibis 135: 495].
History H. Whistler (1928) in The Field of 26th Jan., Vol. CLI. p. 120, says: 'The recent occurrence of a Clucking Teal in Sussex has encourage me to write and enquire whether any ducks of this species are at present kept in captivity in England, and whether, the answer is in the affirmative, any are known to have escaped within the last few months. The bird in question was shot near Battle, Sussex, on November 14th, 1927. It was a drake just completing the autumn moult and was in very good condition, flying well and strongly. It was alone and there was nothing to show that it was not a genuine wild bird. The gizzard and crop were stuffed with a huge meal of small jointed worm-like larvae. Hartert (Vog. Pal. Fauna II, 1317) under his account of the species states that recent specimens obtained in England are doubtless escapes from park waters....'
A. H. Baring (1928) in The Field of 9th Feb., Vol. CLI. p. 244, says: 'One of these birds, a drake in full plumage was shot at Winchester on the Itchen about 1915. So many had been imported alive during the years immediately preceding the war that the price, if I am not mistaken, fell as low as 20/- per pair. For this reason I felt certain that the bird was an escape, and did not trouble to record it. It would be interesting to know if they have ever bred in this country.'
N. B. Kinnear, Editor (1928) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XLIX. pp. 35-37, at the 322nd Meeting of the Club held on 14th November 1928 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. Hugh Whistler exhibited a Baikal Teal (Anas gloscitans) which he had himself shot at Battle, Sussex, on 14 Nov., 1927. It was a male just completing the autumn moult, and the exhibitor claimed that the bird should be considered as a genuine addition to the British List.
He went on to remark that the duck fell under that class of birds which were always regarded with suspicion when shot in England on the ground that they might be 'escapes' from private waters. In his opinion this was a genuine wild straggler, as from its demeanour and strong flight it did not appear to have been in captivity. Also there was no reason why the bird should not appear as a straggler, as was evident from the following facts....
The exhibitor also stated that he put a notice into The Field of 26th January 1928, recording this occurrence, and asking whether any Baikal Teal were known to be kept in England and, if so, whether any had escaped.
The only reply was from Mr. A. H. Baring, who stated that before the War there had been a large importation of these birds on one occasion and that he had therefore not recorded a full-plumaged drake which he had shot at Winchester on the Itchin about 1915. The present specimen, however, could hardly have had any connection with that batch of birds....'
Not accepted locally as the record was placed in square brackets (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 1).
A. H. J. Harrop & R. Y. McGowan (2009) in British Birds, Vol. CII. p. 694, say: 'Identification not proven.'
Comment In the Bulletin he goes on to list all the European records.
0). 1929 Norfolk Wells, adult male, shot, 21st December, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. 27-930).
(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 23: 285; A. H. J. Harrop & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 102: 691-696).
[B. B. Riviere, British Birds 23: 285].
History B. B. Riviere (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 285, and in the 1929 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'On December 21st a drake was shot by Mr. G. Cain at Wells. Although this bird was full-winged and in perfect condition, the Baikal Teal is so frequently kept in a state of captivity or semi-captivity that it can only be regarded as a probable 'escape'.
Comment Identification accepted. Probable escape. Not acceptable.
0). 1931 North-east Scotland No locality, Aberdeenshire, immature male, shot, 27th October.
("F.W.F." Field 9th Jan., 1932: 52).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History "F.W.F." of Surrey (1932) in The Field of 9th Jan., Vol. CLIX. p. 52, says: 'Mr. C. H. Bouck informs me that on October 27th, when flighting about 5.15 p.m., he shot one duck out of a lot of seven - there was only time for a single shot, as they were very high and travelling very fast. The bird shot proved to be a young male Baikal Teal (Nettium formosum). Although in all probability an escape from some ornamental water, the circumstances under which it was obtained may be of interest.'
Comment Anonymous records were unacceptable to ornithologists. Not acceptable.
0). 1951 Suffolk Nacton Decoy, female, caught, 10th November, now in Harrison Museum, Sevenoaks, Kent (HZM 5.10374).
(F. K. Cobb, Suffolk Bird Report 1955: 25; BOURC (1991), Ibis 133: 221).
[BOURC (1993), Ibis 135: 495; A. H. J. Harrop & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 102: 691-696].
History F. K. Cobb (1955) in the Suffolk Bird Report, p. 25, recording the record in square brackets, says: '1951. A female was captured at Nacton Decoy, during November and after living for nearly three year in an aviary at Ipswich, and at Hartest, has been lent to the Severn Wildfowl Trust where it now is (W.H.P.). While there appears to be no possibility of this bird being an escape from captivity in this country, a number have been kept on the Continent, particularly in Holland.
Many of these birds have been very wild, and some full-winged ones have escaped. Consequently, while the bird may have been a genuine wild vagrant, there was not sufficiently evidence for it to be treated as an addition to the British List.'
A. H. J. Harrop & R. Y. McGowan (2009) in British Birds, Vol. CII. p. 694, say: 'Identification accepted. After its capture it was held in captivity for three years at Ipswich and Hartest, then loaned out to the Wildfowl Trust. A specimen, labelled '1929 Nov., female caught in Nacton Decoy, ex W. H. Payn collection housed in the Harrison Museum (HZM.5.10374) is probably this bird.'
0). 1954 Fair Isle Hesti Geo, female or immature, 30th September to 1st October.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 194-195; P. E. Davis, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 5 (1): 7-8; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 68: 2; D. I. M. Wallace, British Birds 74: 321-326; Thom, 1986; Dymond, 1991; BOURC (1991), Ibis 133: 221).
[BOURC (1993), Ibis 135: 495].
History K. Williamson (1954) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. II. pp. 194-195, says: 'When bird-watching in the south on September 30th H.A. and W. Craw, W. J. Eggeling, I. J. Ferguson-Lees and myself put up three female Teal from the sea near Hestigeo, and our suspicions were aroused because one of the birds was noticeably bigger than its companions on the wing.
We followed them about for some time, but without getting a good view, or noting any other difference apart from the fact that the "odd" Teal showed more white in the speculum. Eventually we manoeuvred them into a bay where we could watch them from the cliff-top; and although the light was then poor we could see that the bird was quite different from the female Common Teal Anas c. crecca it was with. Fortunately, we were able to supplement such notes as we then made when we found the birds in the same bay on the following afternoon.
The bird was obviously a female Teal but bigger and brighter in plumage than the others. It was decidedly broader in the beam and had a bigger head, with a high forehead and very fine (apparently greyish) bill, - the whole presenting a marked retrousée effect in profile. Seen from above, the top of the head and nape were a warm brown colour, richer than in the Common Teal, and the feathers of mantle and scapulars appeared longer and had the outer webs edged with buff, these forming a pattern of "V" markings on the back. The breast was brown, mottled darker, and the belly white, and when the bird rose up in the water to wing-flap we saw that there was a distinct line of demarcation between the two. The flanks were more heavily marked than in Common Teal, this being due to close dark brown blotching. The tail was blackish-brown, darker than the mantle, and the under tail-coverts were white. The closed wing showed a green speculum bounded on the inside by a narrow white line, and when the bird was flying this white was more extensive than in the Common Teal. When the bird swam towards us the face showed two conspicuous white marks on the lores; the sides of the head were greyish-white, and there was a narrow dark line through the eye.
The bird was discussed with Hugh Boyd, of the Wildfowl Trust, over the telephone on the evenings of September 30th and October 1st, and we are grateful to him for his help in establishing identification. It was unquestionably a female Baikal Teal Anas formosa, an east Siberian species...As it is a common species in captivity, there must be a suspicion that the Fair Isle bird was an "escape".
On the other hand, it is to be noted that there were several eastern vagrants at Fair Isle about this time (as well as an adult male Siberian Thrush at the Isle of May), and the bird's appearance in such company is at least suggestive of a wild origin.'
E. V. Baxter (1956) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVIII. p. 2, under 'Birds New to Scotland', says: 'A female of this E. Siberian species was seen at Fair Isle on 30th September and 1st October 1954. This species is commonly kept in captivity and may well be an escape.'
D. I. M. Wallace (1981) in British Birds, Vol. LXXIV. pp. 321-326, says: 'One British record, of a duck (or immature) on Fair Isle, Shetland, in late September 1954, was clearly associated with an influx of other Siberian species; and the long persistence of its observers, particularly the late Kenneth Williamson, in arguing its case was clearly a factor in the inclusion of the Baikal Teal in the new category D of the British list (BOU 1971).
There, six recent records were displayed for Britain and Ireland, all dated since 1927 and in late autumn and winter. They were a tantalising lot and might have remained so but for the arrival and long stay of an adult drake at Caerlaverock, Dumfries & Galloway, from mid February to early April 1973 (Brit. Birds 73: 530).
The close observations made on this bird clearly demonstrated its wildness - it preferred goose and swan droppings to subsidised corn! - and, once again, the species went the rounds of review committees.
In 1980, after due deliberation (including a survey of all known European records), the BOU Records Committee accepted not only that wild vagrants could reach Britain, but also that both the 1954 Fair Isle and the Caerlaverock birds were such, so, eventually, following the opinions of the Wildfowl Trust and the late Dr J. M. Harrison (Harrison 1958). The rest of this paper tells the tale of the first individual and adds some general information on the species.
Discovery and suspicion: The birdwatchers present on Fair Isle in the third and fourth weeks of September 1954 enjoyed some classic drift weather and some (then) astonishing Siberian vagrants. The first of these was Britain's original Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (Brit. Birds 48: 26-29) and most of the observatory's work from 20th to 23rd was devoted to its identification. On 24th, wide searches of the isle resumed, and that night the log listed three duck (or immature) Teal Anas crecca seen at Hestigeo by the late W. J. C. Conn, my late father W. J. Wallace and myself.
On 25th, we flushed the same birds from a small pool near the geo and enjoyed excellent flight views at about 20m. The leading bird looked odd, being 'slightly larger' and showing 'a Wigeon-like pattern on the underbody' and 'a distinctly lighter white line above the speculum'.
At the time, we were all junior students of migration and identification and had never heard of the Baikal Teal. Thus, our mention of an "odd teal" drew little attention from our seniors, whose talk was still largely of the magic wagtail and other passerines, and we let the matter rest. It was not, however, ended.
Rediscovery, identification and ageing: No sooner had we sailed away on 30th September than the 'three teal' at Hestigeo were rediscovered by H. A. Craw, W. Craw, Dr. W. J. Eggeling, I. J. Ferguson-Lees and Kenneth Williamson.
As we had on the 25th, they immediately spotted the odd and wilder bird in the trio. Its larger size in flight again aroused suspicions and the greater extent of white above the speculum soon had them following the trio around the coast. Poor light prevented full observations on 30th, but an afternoon watch on 1st October allowed a close comparison of the odd bird with the two certain Teals (settled on the sea) and the following description (condensed from Williamson 1954) was obtained: 'obviously a female 'teal' but bigger and brighter in plumage than the others...decidedly broader in the beam...had a bigger head, with a high forehead and very fine (apparently greyish) bill - the whole presenting a marked retrousee effect in profile...top of the head and nape warm brown, richer than in the Common Teal...feathers of mantle and scapulars appeared longer and had the outer webs edged with buff, these forming a pattern of 'V' markings on the back...breast brown, mottled darker, and the belly white, and when the bird rose up in the water to wing-flap...there was a distinct line of demarcation between the two...flanks more heavily marked than in Common Teal, this being due to close dark brown blotching...tail blackish-brown, darker than the mantle, and...undertail-coverts...white. The closed wing showed a green speculum bounded on the inside by a narrow white line, and when the bird was flying this white was more extensive than in the Common Teal.
When the bird swam towards us the face showed two conspicuous white marks on the lores; the sides of the head were greyish-white, and there was a narrow dark line through the eye.'
The bird's character and appearance were discussed on the telephone with Hugh Boyd (then of the Wildfowl Trust) on both dates and all the senior observers considered the identification established and unquestionable.
It was not until December that the next issue of the observatory bulletin appraised the original observers of the rich sequel to their puzzle; and, although a letter 'connecting' the events was immediately sent to Williamson, no revised account was then published nor fully considered until the BOU Records Committee review of 1979.
Even then, the bird's definition was not quite complete, for it now falls to me to make one small correction to the original account. As will be seen in the following section on field characters, adult duck Baikal Teal show rufous upper borders to their specula. The Fair Isle bird had a noticeably white one and so must have been in juvenile plumage.'
A. H. J. Harrop & R. Y. McGowan (2009) in British Birds, Vol. CII. p. 694, say: 'Identification not proven. Not acceptable.'
