Lesser Scaup

Lucky you! There is the one and only Greater Scaup in Europe.
The mix of two has the common man as well as the ornithologists completely baffled. It is very difficult to estimate the true numbers of each during a bird count!

Jemma, I'm now looking at the bird again and notice the amber eye (as opposed to bright yellow). On the basis of this I agree it should be lesser scaup. We don't have it that hard in Europe to distinguish these two as we only have the greater scaup :-)

I would go with lesser even though the white is abundant.

Female Greater Scaups are slightly darker, and Greater Scaup females will have more white on the face than lesser scaup females.

http://www.birdzilla.com/birds/Greater-S...

Thank you so much for the ID, Daniel.Could this be Lesser Scaup?

Kd,thank you for your sweet and kind comments. I am learning from all of you!!

I've been waiting for some more of yours Jemma. Beautiful images as always!