During a two week drive through Europe I observed some birds that seem to be out of place. I assume they were all escapes or domestics.
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
- in a ditch along the road between Amsterdam and Haarlem, Netherlands
- no question it was a male Ruddy, not a White-headed Duck
Swan Goose Anser cygnoides
- a couple dozen or so on the northern bank of the river Neckar in Heidelberg, Germany
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
- two pairs in the marshes south of Lauwersoog, Freisland
- one pair in a canal in Nationaal Park Drents-Friese Wold
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
- one pair at the east end of the N302 bridge, Lelystad, Netherlands
What do you all think?
I don't know much about the other 3 species, but Ruddy Ducks famously escaped from a wildfowl sanctuary in England and, after becoming established in Britain and becoming popular with birders over there, they are spreading across the continent into the range of the related White-headed Duck. To say more would be inciting vexation!
Allen