A Hint of Cinnamon

The rains continued today, but I was hardly going to stay in and watch Loose Women or Antiques Under The Hammer was I?

Connah’s Quay was my port of call – thousands of the commoner waders were roosting on Oakenholt Marsh, including 29 Golden Plover and a single male Ruff – uncommon over here.

Interestingly, a very rufous female Teal that I clocked a few weeks ago was present again on the channel in front of the west hide. I had a closer look today at the bird that is certainly a curiosity. It is a little larger than the other females and aside from the reddish colouration the bird also has a heavier bill than a Common Teal.

Having done some research on the internet, the colouration of the plumage, the head pattern and the shape of the bill would suggest elements of a Cinnamon Teal, but this individual resembled a Common Teal in every other aspect of its appearance down to the pale patch near the tail.

Perhaps this bird is a hybrid, or more likely just an aberrant Common Teal, but intriguing nonetheless.

Connah's Quay 06.11.09

Lapwing 2,500
Oystercatcher 2,000
Black-tailed Godwit 1,500+
Redshank 1,000
Knot 600
Dunlin 500
Golden Plover 29
Greenshank 4
Spotted Redshank 1
Ruff 1
Kingfisher 1
GC Grebe 2
Little Grebe 3
Teal 800

Until later.