As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Sunday 5 April 2015

Ring-necked ducks spotted at nature reserve

1 hour ago 

Birdwatchers have flocked to a former gravel pit in Oxfordshire to see the "unprecedented" sight of four rare birds.

The ring-necked ducks are native to North America and are thought to have come over to the UK during a storm.

Mark Thomas, at the RSPB, called the sighting "really unusual" and possibly the largest group seen in England.

Official bird recorder Ian Lewington said the ducks in Standlake were attracting a stream of admirers.

The three drakes and one female were first spotted on Saturday in "Pit 60" by Witney birdwatcher Dave Doherty.

"We've got four American visitors here in Oxfordshire," Mr Lewington explained.

"We get two or three records in the country a year... but they've always been single birds.

"A single ring-necked duck on its own would attract a trickle of admirers but four is unprecedented."

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