Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (0, 16)
Photo © Rob Stonehouse - Seaton Common, Cleveland/Co Durham, 6 May 2018
STATUS
North America. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
A number of previous records have been found to be not proven or considered escapes.
Eight in Scotland, seven England and one in Wales.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 2000 Outer Hebrides Oban Trumisgarry and Voiskinish, North Uist, age/sex uncertain, 23rd October to 1st November, video.
(Birding World 13 (10): 386, photo; B. Rabbitts, Birding World 13 (12): 506-507, plates 1-4; B. Rabbitts, Birding Scotland 4 (1): 17-18, plates 9 & 10; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 524 (Cat D); BOURC (2009), Ibis 151: 224; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 525; B. Rabbits, British Birds 102: 122-129, plates 85-86).
2). 2002 Northumberland Woodhorn Flashes, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, first-winter, 7th to 25th March, photo.
(Birding World 15 (3): 94, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 606 (Cat D); N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 525, corr.; British Birds 102: plate 87).
3). 2005 Kent Chilham, adult female, 4th to 10th December.
(B. Rabbitts, British Birds 102: 127; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 535).
4). 2006 Shetland Haroldswick and Burrafirth, Unst, adult male, 15th April to 2nd May, photo.
(Birding World 19 (4): 137, photo; W. Dickson & M. G. Pennington, Birding Scotland 9 (2): 85-88, plates 77-79; British Birds 99: plate 161; P. A. Fraser and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100: 752, plate 364 (Cat D); W. Dickson & M. G. Pennington, Shetland Bird Report 2006: 112, photo; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 525; British Birds 102: plate 88).
5). 2008 Fife Tayport, female, 26th October to 15th November, photo.
(British Birds 102: plate 27; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 535, plate 355).
6). 2012 Kent Whetsted Gravel-pits, female, 10th February to 6th March, photo.
(Birding World 25 (3): 93, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 106: 580).
7). 2012 Sussex Pagham Harbour RSPB, first-winter, 30th October to 17th November, photo.
(O. Mitchell, Birding World 25 (11): 461-464, plates 1-3 & 7; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 106: 580, plate 334).
8). 2016 Wiltshire Corsham Lake, 3CY+ female, 23rd to 27th February, photo.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 568).
9.0). 2016 Clyde Lochwinnoch, 2CY+ male, 7th October to 23rd February 2017, photo; also in Ayrshire.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 568; C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 563).
9.1). 2016 Ayrshire Kilbirnie Loch, 2CY+ male, 9th November to 11th December, photo; same as Clyde.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 568, plate 300).
10). 2018 Outer Hebrides Hirta, St Kilda, 3CY+, male, 29th March to 11th April, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 594).
11). 2018 Cleveland/Co. Durham Seaton Common, 2CY, male, 6th May, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 567).
12). 2018 Shetland Leiraness Voe, Bressay, Pullar's Loch and Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick, Mainland, 2CY+, female, 15th August to 2nd September, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 567, plate 308).
13). 2018 Carmarthenshire Kidwelly Quay, 2CY+, male, 7th October, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 112: 567).
14.0). 2020 Angus & Dundee Forfar Loch, male, 21st November, photo.
(G. Guthrie, Scottish Birds 41: 262-263, plates 185 & 186; C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 562).
14.1) 2021 Angus & Dundee Loch of Kinnordy RSPB, 3CY+, male, 3rd to 10th May, photo; presumed returning individual.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 562).
15). 2021 Cheshire & Wirral Tatton Park, 2CY, male, 20th January to 9th February, photo; presumed same, Rostherne Mere, 27th February, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 562).
16). 2021 Shetland Stanevatstoe Loch, Sandness, Mainland, 2CY+, male, 8th to 16th May, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 562).
P). 2022 Essex Abberton Reservoir, male, 11th May, photo.
(birding information services).
P). 2023 Cumbria Esthwaite Water, 8th April; same, River Kent, Kendal, male, 10th to 11th April, photo; same, Whinfell Tarn, 17th April to 15th May, photo.
(birding information services).
