Canvasback Duck on Islay

I like birds, in fact I love to observe them, but I'm far from a real birdwatcher like Jeremy Hastings, Ian Brooke or John Armitage who all live on Islay. My "life list", a list of birds spotted in my lifetime, is rather short, specially compared to these experienced birdwatchers. I do however can imagine the excitement one must have when witnessing a very rare bird, and that's what happened to John Armitage from Portnahaven yesterday, when he spotted a Canvasback. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says: "a Canvasback is a large diving duck, the Canvasback breeds in prarie potholes and winters on ocean bays. Its sloping profile distinguishes it from other ducks." It further states that the Canvasback is from North America, so how did it end up on Islay? John Armitage has been trying to find more answers as you an read in his entry from yesterday. The birding forum has a special breaking news topic on this sighting and a picture too. Congratulations John!

Tag: birding wildlife canvasback