I managed some close ones in the end, and on inspection at home, with Dave's photos on hand, I'm not convinced it's the same bird. Specifically, I think the white band above the 'nail' on bill is much more indistinct. Lighting plays a part I suppose, as can posture (such that the apparent rear crown peak can just disappear), but this looks more like the classic (perhaps a poor choice of word) Tufted Duck x Pochard, the Lesser Scaupalike.
What do you think?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R8PsvkBfSQJJc4yDxPzh21fOQ047pEDfREXmLJ8dvKgVyXJGLMvNn-JcUwMD5GDElH_7NEliN0WMUjVV2ehzgFSHPP7C7LwOnJ_KqQ8gVdsTcb8yvlsCY-AWuDA0qxXXQo9jB1ObnU0/s720/IMG_1141_Aythya%20hybrid,%20Valentine's%20Parkwtmk.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoFpmJhsCKYImFB3VLekIspExQzO3jwgV5gG8mKbGUSOTghiNWGhbE6fRTiKt84zSRZHE4JEOM4ennax_PXCYS-q-Culh3Mx_JTHfaBG4TSddBImeOfDONm94DhmzgNBnhWsjUR-O330/s720/IMG_1284_Aythya%20hybrid,%20Valentine's%20Parkwtmk.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVdokIG9BsTdugGhuQLDOgN9zMW2DC_B0Sg0RDwbnthfFRS-belCwEKrUOPosyRyXEyFnhPGG9j7K2TxNgkbxYpdDtu1JvdLJcUOtJf2i0nIvTFLArwW-rFM1iIM7tkxjoMYHj_bUC6Y/s720/IMG_1236_Aythya%20hybrid,%20Valentine's%20Parkwtmk.jpg)
Whatever it is, an interesting bird and I was glad to have the chance for a good look at it. I spent a bit of time scouting around for Valentino the Med Gull, but couldn't find him. We have been wondering if the bird on Wanstead Flats was Valentino gone walkabout, but I have since discovered that he is ringed, whereas our bird is not.
Anyway, next up Coots and Squirrels, exactly as promised, no way would I let you down. Oh, but first a Pochard.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgOgDQDs7d3b-sXT4Q6I7K01kkVazehyphenhyphenP69ftrYFH2D8c6wAUiNuElamYxq1dfWkoTk-WuoF7W8YngTAB6FTyaHlP-0O4-ghu6UkXCV_DS0zUbb7HtVLqJ3jbGJ8-2oekk5dnize64MI/s720/IMG_1169_Pochard,%20Valentine's%20Parkwtmk.jpg)
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