Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (0, 16)

Photo © Rob Stonehouse - Seaton Common, Cleveland/Co Durham, 6 May 2018

STATUS

North America. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

A number of previous records have been found to be not proven or considered escapes.

Eight in Scotland, seven England and one in Wales.

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BBRC RECORDS

1). 2000 Outer Hebrides Oban Trumisgarry and Voiskinish, North Uist, age/sex uncertain, 23rd October to 1st November, video.

(Birding World 13 (10): 386, photo; B. Rabbitts, Birding World 13 (12): 506-507, plates 1-4; B. Rabbitts, Birding Scotland 4 (1): 17-18, plates 9 & 10; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 524 (Cat D); BOURC (2009), Ibis 151: 224; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 525; B. Rabbits, British Birds 102: 122-129, plates 85-86).

2). 2002 Northumberland Woodhorn Flashes, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, first-winter, 7th to 25th March, photo.

(Birding World 15 (3): 94, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 606 (Cat D); N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 525, corr.; British Birds 102: plate 87).

3). 2005 Kent Chilham, adult female, 4th to 10th December.

(B. Rabbitts, British Birds 102: 127; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 535).

4). 2006 Shetland Haroldswick and Burrafirth, Unst, adult male, 15th April to 2nd May, photo.

(Birding World 19 (4): 137, photo; W. Dickson & M. G. Pennington, Birding Scotland 9 (2): 85-88, plates 77-79; British Birds 99: plate 161; P. A. Fraser and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100: 752, plate 364 (Cat D); W. Dickson & M. G. Pennington, Shetland Bird Report 2006: 112, photo; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 525; British Birds 102: plate 88).

5). 2008 Fife Tayport, female, 26th October to 15th November, photo.

(British Birds 102: plate 27; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 535, plate 355).

6). 2012 Kent Whetsted Gravel-pits, female, 10th February to 6th March, photo.

(Birding World 25 (3): 93, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 106: 580).

7). 2012 Sussex Pagham Harbour RSPB, first-winter, 30th October to 17th November, photo.

(O. Mitchell, Birding World 25 (11): 461-464, plates 1-3 & 7; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 106: 580, plate 334).

8). 2016 Wiltshire Corsham Lake, 3CY+ female, 23rd to 27th February, photo.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 568).

9.0). 2016 Clyde Lochwinnoch, 2CY+ male, 7th October to 23rd February 2017, photo; also in Ayrshire.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 568; C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 563).

9.1). 2016 Ayrshire Kilbirnie Loch, 2CY+ male, 9th November to 11th December, photo; same as Clyde.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 568, plate 300).

10). 2018 Outer Hebrides Hirta, St Kilda, 3CY+, male, 29th March to 11th April, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 594).

11). 2018 Cleveland/Co. Durham Seaton Common, 2CY, male, 6th May, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 567).

12). 2018 Shetland Leiraness Voe, Bressay, Pullar's Loch and Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick, Mainland, 2CY+, female, 15th August to 2nd September, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 567, plate 308).

13). 2018 Carmarthenshire Kidwelly Quay, 2CY+, male, 7th October, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 567).

14.0). 2020 Angus & Dundee Forfar Loch, male, 21st November, photo.

(G. Guthrie, Scottish Birds 41: 262-263, plates 185 & 186; C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 562).

14.1) 2021 Angus & Dundee Loch of Kinnordy RSPB, 3CY+, male, 3rd to 10th May, photo; presumed returning individual.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 562).

15). 2021 Cheshire & Wirral Tatton Park, 2CY, male, 20th January to 9th February, photo; presumed same, Rostherne Mere, 27th February, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 562).

16). 2021 Shetland Stanevatstoe Loch, Sandness, Mainland, 2CY+, male, 8th to 16th May, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 562).

P). 2022 Essex Abberton Reservoir, male, 11th May, photo.

(birding information services).

P). 2023 Cumbria Esthwaite Water, 8th April; same, River Kent, Kendal, male, 10th to 11th April, photo; same, Whinfell Tarn, 17th April to 15th May, photo.

(birding information services).

P). 2024 Wiltshire Ramsbury Manor Park, female, 13th November.

(birding information services).