My lifer Ring-necked Duck
11 February 2026
Loirston Loch, Aberdeen
Today, after many reports of a drake Ring-necked duck at Loirston loch over the past week, my dad and I decided to try to get this nemesis species of mine, which I have dipped on multiple occasions, most notably in October of last year. Since arriving from French Polynesia, I had a lot to catch up on with homework, and when the half-term began, I fell ill, and we had to stay at home. The weather clearly isn't wanting us to go out birding, since with the record for the longest ever period without sunshine in Aberdeen (over 14 days), was just set. The previous record was set nearly 70 years ago.
However, while my sisters were at their friends' house and my mum and work, we made the most of my dad's lunch break, to try to see this bird. When we arrived, I instantly saw a few Wigeon and Goldeneye, as well as the large flock of Tufted Ducks in the distance. I tried scanning the ducks on the water, looking for the Ring-necked Duck, but without luck. When passing though security at the airport in Tahiti (Fa'a'ā International Airport), my tripod handle was taken away, since it was considered to be a “tool”, since then, I wasn't able to stabilise my tripod when using my scope. With this disadvantage, I had to approach the birds, and, before too long, I spotted the drake Ring-necked Duck, in a small group of Tufted Ducks, I tried my best to take a photo, and managed to get a few record shots.
Unlike the Tufted Duck, which is common in nearly all of Europe, the Ring-necked Duck, is a vagrant from North America. It breeds in Southern Canada, and some northern US states. It winters in the Caribbean, southern USA, and Mexico.
