Highly likely to be an escapee from somewhere, but it was a bit of a surprise to fnid this on a pond high in the Pennines on the North Yorkshire - County Durham boundary.
Bit of a poor photo, but the haze was bad today, though it will do as a record shot.
Kowa 823 32x / Nikon 4500 Distance - a very long way !
Hope it turns out to be a non escape, I'd tick it anyway!
Since you and I spoke, have you reported it. It might pay you to do that. That way at least a decision can be made. It is more than likely an escapee but there is always a chance that it might not be.
I know nothing of this duck and it doesn't even appear in any of my European field guides. It is in my American one but there has always been a problem getting a bird like this accepted, but it happens. I think that the Cnvasback at Pennington was eventually accepted so why not this bird.
You never know, you might have found a mega!! Go for it Ian.