Green-winged Teal
Anas carolinensis Gmelin, JF, 1789 (6, 10)
Photo © KG Webb - Lower Moors, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, October 2024
Ex BBRC species 31/12/1990
STATUS
Nearctic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Bannerman (1953-63 (7): 31-32) gave a listing of all records to 1956 inclusive, but was unaware of the Essex record that year and one in Dorset for 1948. Of the earlier five records mentioned the 1840 and 1851 records have since been rejected.
It was considered a sub-species of Eurasian Teal until 2001 when the BOU gave it full species status.
RECORDS
1). 1879 Devon Kingsbridge Estuary, adult male, shot, 23rd November, now at Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter.
(H. Nicholls, Field 3rd Jan., 1880: 8; H. Nicholls, Zoologist 1880: 70; BOU, 1883; Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Witherby, 1920-24; W. P. Lowe, Ibis 1939: 75; Moore, 1969).
History Henry Nicholls of Roseland, Kingsbridge (1880) in The Field of 3rd Jan., Vol. LV. p. 8, dated 29th December, 1879, and in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 70, says: 'My brother Mr. R. P. Nicholls, purchased from a gunner, on November 23rd, a male specimen of Querquedula carolinensis, which he had just shot from an arm of the Kingsbridge Estuary.
Although this bird closely resembles the European crecca, Dr. Elliot Coues distinguishes them as follows: 'English Teal (Crecca). - No white crescent in front of wing; long scapulars black externally; creamy internally. American Teal (Carolinensis). - A conspicuous white crescent on the side of the body, just in front of the bend of the wing; scapulars plain.'
The bird agrees in every particular with Carolinensis, as above described, as also with American skins, with which I have compared it. I am not aware if it has been before noticed to have occurred in Great Britain. Baird in his North American Birds, states it to be accidental in Europe.'
[In addition to the distinguishing characters above pointed out, we may add that the American species differs from the European bird in wanting the white streak which extends from the bill over the eye in the latter; and the white line below the eye is also nearly absent, being very indistinctly marked. - Ed.]
Admitted nationally in their first List of British Birds (BOU 1883).
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 389, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: '...It would be desirable that this specimen should be publicly exhibited before some competent body of ornithologists.' Also, admitted by Seebohm (1885 (3): 549).
D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 229-230) say: 'Mr. R. P. Nicholls, of Kingsbridge, obtained a full-dressed male specimen in the flesh, November 23rd, 1879, in the following manner: - A girl entered his shop with a basket covered by a cloth, and took out the bird in question and offered it for sale. As there was some disagreement as to the price the girl took it away with her, and as she did not return as anticipated, Mr. Nicholls went in search of her, and purchased the valuable specimen on her own terms.
He had at once recognized the species, as he had stuffed many specimens in Chicago, U.S.A., and his brother, Mr. Henry Nicholls, coming in, and seeing the bird on the counter, immediately pointed out the white spot in front of the wings, and said he had never met with one like it before. It appears to have been shot from a flock on an arm of the Kingsbridge Estuary by a local gunner.
In December 1888 this specimen was exhibited at a meeting of the Zoological Society by Mr. Howard Saunders, on behalf of Mr. Henry Nicholls, to whom it was given by his brother, and in whose possession it now remains (R.P.N. in litt.; H.N., Zool., 1880, p. 70; Field, January 3rd, 1880; H. Saunders, Manual of B. Birds, p, 421).
Only two other specimens are known to have occurred in England, but this American Teal has been admitted into the British List both by Mr. H. Saunders (op. cit.) and the Committee of the British Ornithologists' Union.'
Willoughby P. Lowe (1939) in The Ibis, Vol. LXXXI. p. 75, says: 'American Green-winged Teal, a male specimen from Kingsbridge Estuary, Devon, 23 November, 1879, R. P. Nicholls (see Zoologist, 1880 p. 70).'
2). 1886 Shetland Loch of Sandwick, Whalsay, male, shot, undated.
(Venables & Venables, 1955; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 69: 40, rejected; Pennington et al., 2004; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).
History Venables & Venables (1955: 220) say: 'Bruce and Grierson (1899 et seq.) record one being shot by James Scollay at the Loch of Sandwick, Whalsay (no date). It was sent to Small's of Edinburgh for identification and mounting.'
E. V. Baxter (1957) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIX. p. 40, says: 'Without further evidence it is not acceptable.'
Pennington et al. (2004) say: 'Venables & Venables (1955) recorded that Bruce and Grierson's annotated textbooks included a record of a male shot by James Scollay at Loch of Sandwick, Whalsay, where they gave no date.
Reference to the original source shows that it was shot in 1886. It was sent to Small's, of Edinburgh for identification and mounting.'
Accepted nationally as the first for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
3). 1936 Cumbria Near Levens, Westmoreland, adult male, wounded by shot, 26th December.
(H. W. Robinson, Naturalist 63: 144; H. W. Robinson, British Birds 30: 378; H. W. Robinson, Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee Report 1940: 28; Witherby et al., 1940-52; E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 95; Hutcheson, 1986).
History H. W. Robinson (1937) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXIII. p. 144, and in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 378, says: 'As there are only three records of the American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) for Great Britain, it may be of interest to record that the fourth was shot near Levens, South Westmoreland, on December 26th, 1936.
It was an adult drake with the characteristic broad white crescents on the sides of the breast in front of the shoulders, well developed. It was only wing-tipped and is still alive (March, 1937) on a private pond in Kendal. When I saw it a few days ago it was as wild and shy as when captured three months ago, and was very evidently not an escaped bird.
The three previous records are Hurstbourne Park, Hants., about 1840; near Scarborough, Yorks., November, 1851; and Kingsbridge Estuary, Devon, November 23rd, 1879.'
H. W. Robinson (1940) in the Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee 24th Report, p. 28, says: 'The fourth record for Great Britain, mentioned in my last report as obtained on December 26th, 1936, is still alive (March 1938) among other waterfowl on a private pond in Kendal and is still wild as when captured.'
Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 95, says: 'An adult drake was slightly injured by shot and taken alive near Levens, Westmoreland, on 26th December, 1936. During the time it was kept on a pond near Kendal, its behaviour appeared to be that of a truly wild bird. This first occurrence for Cumbria was seen and recorded by H. W. Robinson.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and accepted locally (Hutcheson 1986).
Comment The first two of the three previous records were later found not proven.
4). 1938 Outer Hebrides Near Aird Teilem, North Uist, adult, seen, 24th October.
(J. W. Campbell, British Birds 33: 84; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Cunningham, 1983).
History James W. Campbell (1939-40) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 84, says: 'As the American Green-winged Teal Anas c. carolinensis has been satisfactorily identified only on three or four occasions in England and never previously in Scotland, it will be of interest to give details of an adult male, which, as already noted in The Handbook of British Birds, Vol. III. was shot at Newton, North Uist, on October 24th, 1938. The bird was obtained in a muddy creek near Ard Teilem, to the east of Beinn Mhor (Newton), an area of tortuous channels and sea bays, with banks of soft ooze and tangle-covered skerries exposed at low water, which is a favourite haunt of Teal during the autumn and winter months.
This bird which was alone when killed, flew up the creek from seaward whilst my spaniel was retrieving a female Teal which had been shot from a bunch of 30 to 40 Teal. The Green-winged Teal fell in soft ooze and was completely obscured by it when brought to hand, but while carrying the bird to a nearby burn to wash off this ooze, I noticed that the tarsus was a light chocolate-brown, quite unlike the colouring of any Teal I had ever handled. With the removal of the mud, the characteristic features in the plumage of the adult male Anas c. carolinensis, were disclosed. The web was more dusky than the tarsus; the bill was black and the weight of the bird when the plumage had dried was 13¾ ounces.
The gullet, oesophagus and proventriculus were empty, but the gizzard contained fine 'sandy grit' of the type usually found in Teal from this area, and three small flat seeds which have not yet been satisfactorily identified.
However it is hoped by growing them to settle the identification of these seeds which are of a species occurring fairly frequently in 'stomachs' of wildfowl killed in Great Britain.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52), for Scotland (Baxter & Rintoul 1953) and locally (Cunningham 1983).
5). 1948 Dorset Radipole Lake, male, seen, 30th November.
(F. L. Blathwayt, British Birds 42: 393; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 70: 130; Green, 2004).
History F. L. Blathwayt (1949) in British Birds, Vol. XLII. p. 393, says: 'The Rev. H. R. A. Cornish, Vicar of Portesham, has informed me that he saw a drake Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) on the Radipole Lake, Weymouth, on November 30th, 1948.
There were over 600 Teal on the water, some scattered in little groups, and he had the good fortune to get his glasses on to this bird in bright sunshine at a distance of about 50 yards, and had it under observation for a quarter of an hour. He noticed especially that the dark green broad stripe on the head lacked the cream surround, and that there was no cream streak above the wing but a shorter vertical streak in front of it. Identification is therefore sure, and the only question is, was the bird an escape?
I wrote to Peter Scott who kindly checked his waterfowl registry covering 80 collections and replied "there is not a one per cent chance that this bird could be an escape".
The bird I presume had been 'picked up' by some flock of Common Teal (Anas c. crecca), migrating from the North.'
F. L. Blathwayt (1949) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXXD. p. 130, in the Annual Report for 1948, says: 'H.R.A.C. had the good fortune to observe a drake of this species, with some Common Teal, in perfect light and at short range with glasses, on Radipole Lake, Weymouth, on November 30th.
All the distinguishing marks were noticed, written down, and correctly reported, and the identification is certain. The only question is "was the bird an escape from captivity?"
F.L.B. therefore wrote to Mr. Peter Scott, a great authority on wild and captive waterfowl, and received the following reply dated 11th January 1949: "I was most interested to hear of your record of the American Green-winged Teal. I think I can say quite categorically that it cannot have been an escape.
For three years now we have been running the Waterfowl Registry which has given us a very clear picture of the birds still being kept in captivity since the war. This Registry covers 80 collections and is I think almost completely comprehensive. There was no record of any Green-winged Teal being kept by anyone in this country. The only Green-winged Teal here now are eight which I brought back last month from the States and which have not escaped. The expectation of life of Teal in captivity is not much above the length of the war and no one was breeding this species during the war. I would say therefore that there is not a one per cent chance that this bird could be an escape"....'
Accepted locally (Green 2004).
6). 1949 Avon Blagdon Lake, Somerset, male, 18th December.
(B. King, British Birds 43: 303-304; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1949: 16; H. H. Davis & P. J. Chadwick, Ornithological Notes Bristol District 1949: 33).
History Bernard King (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. pp. 303-304, says: 'At Blagdon Reservoir, Somerset, on December 18th, 1949, Messrs. F. Hamlett, D. H. Taylor and the writer were fortunate enough to get extremely good views of a bird which could have been no other than a drake Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis). It was in company with Common Teal (Anas c. crecca), and though some distance out on the water when first seen it could be recognized by the white vertical breast-band, immediately in front of the wing. Later, with its companions, the bird flew to the reservoir bank, where, feeding on marshy ground at fifty yards range, it was under observation with x 30 telescope for nearly half an hour.
Apart from the vertical breast-band, the following characteristics, as compared with the accompanying males of A. c. crecca were noted - the absence of a white horizontal band above the wing and the ill-defined, and scarcely perceptible, cream line, separating the chestnut crown from the green eye-band. The ground colour of the lower breast was noticeably warmer and richer than is usual in Common Teal. Clear views of the legs showed that the bird was not ringed.
Mr. Peter Scott, in writing to inform me that all Green-winged Teal in captivity in this country have been imported since December, 1948, and that all have been permanently pinioned, expresses the view that this was undoubtedly a genuinely wild visitor and goes on to remark that "it is strange...that these birds are not more frequently recorded. In view of prevailing winds one would expect them to come more regularly than European Teal go to America, and European Teal are seen on the east coast of the United States in small numbers every season".'
F. L. Blathwayt (1949) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XXXVI. p. 16, says: 'An adult male, in company with Common Teal, under observation for about 25 minutes, Blagdon Reservoir, Dec. 18.
The bird was viewed with a telescope at fifty yards range, and the following details were noted - scarcely perceptible creamy-white line separating chestnut crown from green eye-band; absence of white horizontal band above wing; and conspicuous white vertical breast-band fore of the wing.
First record for the County (D. Taylor & B.K.).'
H. H. Davis & P. J. Chadwick (1949) in Ornithological Notes Bristol District, p. 33, say: 'Adult male among common Teal, Blagdon Reservoir, Dec. 18. Viewed with telescope at fifty yards' range, when the following characters as compared with males of A. crecca, were noted - white, vertical breast-band immediately fore of the wing; absence of white, horizontal band above wing; ill-defined and scarcely perceptible creamy-white line separating chestnut crown from green-eye band; warmer ground-colour of lower breast (B.K. and D. Taylor)....'
1950-57 RECORDS
7). 1950 Yorkshire Swillington Ings, male, 15th January.
(R. Chislett, Naturalist 76: 66; K. Brown, British Birds 43: 190; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).
History R. Chislett (1950) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXVI. p. 66, says: 'K. Brown picked out a drake with the characteristic white mark on side of breast, on January 15th at Swillington Ings, from c. 100 Common Teal.'
K. Brown (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 190, says: 'On January 15th, 1950, about 100 Teal (Anas c. crecca) were at Swillington Ings, Yorkshire. Whilst counting the number of drakes I picked up at fairly close range, and in good light, a drake Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis). In outline and general plumage it resembled Common Teal, but lacked the whitish horizontal line on the flanks and had a similar but vertical line on side of breast, a little in front of wing. The buff under tail-coverts (visible on Common Teal) were only apparent on the Green-winged Teal when it turned on one side to preen. The buff line intersecting the shades of head colour though visible on some Common Teal could not be made out on the scarcer bird. A x 20 telescope was used.'
Accepted locally (Mather 1986).
8). 1951 Yorkshire Wintersett Reservoir, male, 20th to 21st March.
(I. G. Brown, J. Cudworth & P. E. Davis, Naturalist 76: 138; I. G. Brown, J. Cudworth & P. E. Davis, British Birds 44: 352; R. Chislett, Naturalist 77: 81; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).
History Dr. I. G. Brown, J. Cudworth & P. E. Davis (1951) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXVI. p. 138, say: '...On the 20th, J.C. saw the Ferruginous Duck, in excellent light, and discovered that an American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) was also present. This bird alighted on the water only a few yards from the observer, with a pair of Common Teal (Anas c. crecca).
The white crescentic line at the side of the breast, and the absence of the white side streak were immediately obvious, and there was an almost complete absence of buff lines on the head (though these were not clear in the drake Common Teal present). The Green-Winged Teal was seen again on the 21st by J.C., I.G.B., P.E.D., G. R. Edwards and A. Mitchell, and could easily be picked out at up to 100 yards in rather poor light. The Teal was not seen subsequently, but the Ferruginous Duck was still there on the 22nd.
This would seem to be the third occurrence of the Green-Winged Teal in Yorkshire, and the ninth occurrence of the Ferruginous Duck.'
I. G. Brown, J. Cudworth & P. E. Davis (1951) in British Birds, Vol. XLIV. p. 352, say: 'On March 20th, 1951, J.C. discovered an American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) at Wintersett Reservoir, Yorkshire. It alighted on the water with a small party of Common Teal (Anas c. crecca) barely 20 yards from the observer, and as the light was excellent very good views were obtained.
The white crescentic line at the side of the breast and the absence of the white side streak were immediately obvious. It was seen again on the 21st by J.C., I.G.B., P.E.D. and G. R. Edwards, and could easily be picked out at up to 100 yards in rather poor light.'
R. Chislett (1952) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXVII. p. 81, adds: 'A bird was seen near to a pair of common Teal on March 20th and 21st at Wintersett Reservoir by J.C., P.E.D., I.G.B. (for details see The Naturalist, 1951, p. 138).'
Accepted locally (Chislett 1952; Mather 1986).
9). 1951 Somerset Porlock Marsh, adult male, 4th October.
(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1951: 31; Somerset Ornithological Society 1988; Ballance, 2006).
History M. Brooks-King (1951) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIV. p. 31, says: 'Porlock Marsh, Oct. 4, one, the white vertical mark in front of the wing was clearly seen; I have seen the species previously in St James' Park, London, where it was within a few yards of me and know the bird well (Mrs. G. M. Chadwyck-Healey). Peter Scott writes that he has four pairs in captivity and has had no escapes.'
Accepted locally (Somerset Ornithological Society 1988; Ballance 2006).
10). 1952 Northumberland Seahouses, male, 10th to 19th April.
(E. A. R. Ennion, British Birds 46: 426; G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 10: 113; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).
History E. A. R. Ennion (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. p. 426, under 'Monks' House Bird Observatory, 1952', says: 'Spring passage in 1952 proved less productive than in 1951....A Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) was seen on May 16th and a Green-winged Teal drake (Anas crecca carolinensis) remained for 10 days from April 10th.'
G. W. Temperley (1952) in the Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society, Vol. X. p. 113, says: 'On April 10th a drake, in company with a party of Common Teal, was identified on the pool at Monks' House, N. It remained off and on for ten days. The earlier occurrence of an American Wigeon (November, 1951) supports the wild origin of this bird (E.A.R.E.).'
Accepted locally (Galloway & Meek 1978-83; Kerr 2001).
11). 1952 Perth & Kinross Carsebreck Lochs, male, 26th and 30th December.
(T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 3: 70; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 67: 100; D. G. Andrew, Scottish Birds 2: 343).
History T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1953) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. III. p. 70, say: 'Mr. Edward Blake has sent us details of a drake Green-winged Teal seen by him at Carsebreck Loch, Strathallan, on 26th and 30th December 1952. On both occasions this bird was with a flock of Common Teal, from which it differed in the vertical white stripes on the sides of the breast and the absence of the horizontal stripes on the mantle.
Although the identification is undoubtedly correct, the record should perhaps be treated with some reserve as it is always possible that such birds may have escaped from a private collection. On the other hand several American birds were brought into this country by the fierce westerly gales of the previous autumn.'
E. V. Baxter (1955) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVII. p. 100, says: 'A male was seen at Carsebreck on 26th and 30th December 1952 (Edin. Bird Bull., 3: 70). We accept this record as new to Tay and North Perthshire in view of the species being not known to have bred in Europe in recent years.'
D. G. Andrew (1963) in Scottish Birds, Vol. II. p. 343, in the 1962 Scottish review, says: 'It has been pointed out that this Committee was wrong in accepting this record as the first for Tay and North Perth as the locality lies within Forth and South Perth and is accordingly the first for this area and county.'
12). 1953 Warwickshire Baginton Sewage-farm, near Coventry, male, 15th to 17th January.
(R. W. M. Lee, British Birds 47: 244; J. Lord, West Midland Bird Report 20: 13; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).
History R. W. M. Lee (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 244, says: 'On a sewage marsh at Baginton near Coventry on January 15th-17th, 1953, Mr. G. H. Forster and I observed a drake Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) among the large flock of common Teal (A. c. crecca) that regularly winter there.
The bird was watched for long periods, at ranges varying from 30-50 yards, and the following points were noted: - no horizontal white stripe on side, but a conspicuous vertical white stripe on the side of the breast in front of the wing; the narrow cream line on the side of the head was restricted to a short length below the eye. Excellent views of the legs were had, and it can be stated with certainty that the bird was not ringed. The bird was seen to indulge in the typical bobbing display around a female, accompanied by drakes of the typical race.'
Accepted locally for Warwickshire (Harrison & Harrison 2005).
13). 1953 Devon Exe Estuary, Topsham, male, 26th April.
(R. G. Adams, British Birds, 47: 83-84; M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1953: 9; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).
History R. G. Adams (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 83-84, says: 'On April 26th, 1953, I saw a male Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) on the River Exe, near Topsham, Devon. The broad, vertical white patch on the side of the breast showed very conspicuously and I noticed this as soon as I saw the bird itself. Apart from this mark and the absence of the white horizontal stripe on the side the bird appeared to be exactly like a male Teal (Anas c. crecca) which was also present. A good view was obtained later in the day by Mr. R. F. Moore, and the following day by Mr. A. Smith, after which the bird could not be found.'
Accepted locally (Moore 1969; Tyler 2010).
14). 1956 Essex Abberton Reservoir, male, 2nd January.
(G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1956: 8; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984, Wood, 2007).
History G. A. Pyman (1956) in the Essex Bird Report, Vol. VII. p. 8, says: 'Abberton Reservoir: a male of this N. American race swimming in a party of ca. 50 European Teal on January 2nd (R. L. Savory). Readily identified at close range by vertical white stripe on side of breast in front of closed wing and absence of horizontal white stripe above wing; back, mantle and side of breast appeared uniform grey than in European race, scapulars and secondary feathers noticeably bordered with black. The first Essex record.'
Accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968; Cox 1984; Wood 2007).
15). 1956 Hampshire Titchfield Haven, male, 18th March.
(E. G. Richards, C. Suffern & R. H. Dennis, British Birds 50: 119-120; Cohen & Taverner, 1972; Clark & Eyre, 1993).
History E. G. Richards, C. Suffern & R. H. Dennis (1957) in British Birds, Vol. L. pp. 119-120, say: 'During the morning of 18th March 1956, a male Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) was seen at Titchfield Haven, Hampshire, by a number of observers including John Everett, Roger Brown, Alan Searle and the writers. It was in company with a small number of Teal (A. c. crecca) and was distinguished from the drakes by the white vertical mark at the sides of the breast and the absence of a white horizontal line above the flanks. The buff face-markings were very obscure, being reduced to a short buff line just below the eye (E.G.R.). It also had a much more buff-coloured breast than the Teal, making it easy to pick out when head on (R.H.D.).'
Accepted locally (Cohen & Taverner 1972; Clark & Eyre 1993).
16). 1957 North-east Scotland Forvie, Aberdeenshire, male, 31st March to 20th April.
(W. Crawford, Scottish Birds 1: 10-11; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Birds 1: 117; Phillips, 1997).
History W. Crawford (1958) in Scottish Birds, Vol. I. pp. 10-11, says: 'On 31st March 1957 a visit was made, in dull weather with a slight haar from the sea, to a number of small lochans in the sands of Forvie, about two miles north-east of the Ythan Estuary. On the largest pool were a number of Shelduck, Mallard, Wigeon and Teal. Of the dozen or so of the latter, some were on shore and not clearly visible in the grass and reeds at the water's edge.
One of the drakes, however, did not show a horizontal white bar above the wing and this bird was closely observed until eventually it entered the water. It was then noticed that, in addition, it had a conspicuous white line curving downwards and forwards from the shoulder towards the lower breast. No doubt then remained that this bird was a male Green-winged Teal Anas crecca carolinensis. Apart from the two features mentioned above the plumage appeared, in the poor light, to be similar to that of the European race Anas c. crecca. The bird remained for three weeks, ranging freely between the original lochan, Sand Loch, Collieston and Cotehill Loch.
Identification was later confirmed on different dates by Miss E. A. Garden, G. F. Raeburn, A. J. M. Smith, A. Tewnion and V. C. Wynne-Edwards.
It was last seen on 20th April by A.J.M.S. and A.T. on the Forvie lochan in company with a pair of crecca Teal. A.J.M.S. watched the bird for a total of six and a half hours in perfect light and has supplied the following additional notes: "Although it did not appear longer carolinensis was definitely plumper looking than any of the crecca Teal. The finer vermiculations of the grey-creamy white on mantle and scapulars render the carolinensis a decidedly more uniform grey than the other. The grey on its sides extended below the water line, whereas the European birds all showed creamy white above the water line".
Both A.J.M.S. and A.T. described the diagnostic white mark as "a crescent angled at about 60 degrees from the lower breast to the front of the wing at the wrist", and agreed that "the white of the short under-tail covers in crecca was distinctly creamy buff in carolinensis". The bird was once seen being chased by a drake European Teal, and once displaying to a duck European Teal.
The Director of the Wildfowl Trust stated, in a letter to E.A.G., that no free-flying specimen of Anas crecca carolinensis was known to be in any collection in Britain or Europe. There is good reason, therefore, to believe that this bird was a genuine immigrant from North America.'
E. V. Baxter (1959) in Scottish Birds, Vol. I. p. 117, in the Scottish review for 1958, admit it as the first record for Dee.
NOT PROVEN
0). c. 1840 Hampshire Hurstbourne Park, shot, undated.
(A. Fellowes, Field 17th Jan., 1880: 79; A. Fellowes, Zoologist 1880: 70; BOU, 1883; Yarrell, 1871-85; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).
[Seebohm, 1883-85; Not in Clark & Eyre, 1993].
History A. Fellowes of Burwood, Rotherfield, Sussex (1880) in The Field of 17th Jan., Vol. LV. p. 79, and The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. p. 70, says: 'Observing from a note in The Field that a specimen of the Green-winged Teal was lately killed in South Devon, I am induced to record the fact that I have in my possession one of these birds in excellent preservation, which was shot by my father more than forty years ago at Hurstbourne Park, Hants. The white crescent on the wing is very apparent and well defined.'
Admitted nationally in the first List of British Birds (BOU 1883: 127).
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 389, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: '...It would be desirable that this specimen should be publicly exhibited before some competent body of ornithologists.'
Seebohm (1885 (3): 549) says: 'The earliest alleged occurrence of the American Teal in England is that of an example shot about the year 1838 at Huntbourne [sic] Park, in Hampshire (Fellowes, Zoologist, 1880, p. 71); some doubt, however, rests upon the correctness of the identification.' However it was accepted locally (Kelsall & Munn 1905: 231).
Witherby et al. (1940-52) says: 'One stated to have been shot Hurstbourne Park (Hants) about 1840.'
Not accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1851 Yorkshire Near Scarborough, adult male, obtained, November.
(J. Evans, Zoologist 1852: 3472; Nelson, 1907; "J.E.H." Field 1st Apr., 1922: 431; Witherby, 1920-24; Mather, 1986).
[BOU, 1883; Seebohm, 1883-85].
History John Evans of Darley Abbey, near Derby (1852) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. X. p. 3472, dated April, 1852, says: 'I received a few weeks since from Scarborough, a specimen of the American Teal, in good plumage, which was killed near that place last November. I mention it because it is a bird of recent occurrence in this country, not being mentioned in Yarrell's birds.'
Seebohm (1885 (3): 549) says: 'The second example is said to have been killed near Scarboro', in November 1851 (Evans, Zoologist, 1852, p. 3472). Mr. Evans informs me that this bird was an adult male, that it differed markedly from the Common Teal in the absence of the line of light buff on the sides of the head, that it was identified as the American Teal by Meyer, and that it is now in the collection of Lord Hill at Hawkestone, near Shrewsbury.'
Nelson (1907 (2): 456) adds: 'The specimen in question passed into the collection of the late Lord Hill, and further information respecting it is not now available.'
J. E. Harting (1922) in The Field of 1st April, Vol. CXXXIX. p. 431, says: 'A bird reported as a Blue-winged Teal (Zoologist, 1852, p. 3472) proved to be the American Green-winged Teal. It was received by Colonel John Evans in the month of November from Scarborough, and passed into the collection of Viscount Hill. It is acknowledged as an addition to the county avifauna by the late Mr. T. H. Nelson in his Birds of Yorkshire (p. 456).
This bird, Querquedula carolinensis, is reported to have been procured in Devon and Hants. (Field, Dec. 23, 1879, Jan. 3, 1880, and Zoologist, 1880, p. 70), and although the specimens referred to may possible have been imported and escaped birds, Mr. Howard Saunders, who at a meeting of the Zoological Society exhibited the Devonshire specimen - shot on the Kingsbridge Estuary - stated that this species had never been kept in the gardens of the Society, nor, so far as he was aware, in any other part of Europe (P.Z.S., 1888, p. 469).'
Comment This example was not mentioned by the BOU (1883: 127), even though they mention a record before and after this date. John Evans of Darley Abbey, Yorkshire, also owned the rejected Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor supposedly from Derbyshire in 1850. Uncertainty of being obtained in Britain. Not acceptable.
