Smew Mergellus albellus [Linnaeus, 1758]

I have 170 records prior to 2000, however, it seems that the Smew Mergellus albellus is becoming increasingly rare at the lake in the last few years, so I’m publishing all records since 2000. If you can add to these, please send your records for inclusion.

  1. Two, a male, adult, & an immature or female, 1st Jan. to 12th Feb. 2000 (N.R. Milbourne).
  2. One, immature, 7th April 2000 (N.R. Milbourne). See note 1 below.
  3. One, immature, 13th-14th Jan. 2001 (N.R. Milbourne). See note 2 below.
  4. One male, adult, 13th-15th Jan. 2001 (N.R. Milbourne). See note 3 below.
  5. One, immature or female, 8th March 2001 (N.R. Milbourne). See note 4 below.
  6. Two, immature or female, 30th Nov. to 1st Dec. 2001 (N.R. Milbourne). See note 4 below.
  7. One male, adult, 29th Dec. 2001 to 12th Jan. 2002 (N.R. Milbourne). See note 4 below.
  8. One, immature or female, 7th Jan. 2002 (N.R. Milbourne). See note 5 below.
  9. One,  immature or female, 29th Nov. 2002 (N.R. Milbourne).
  10. One male, adult, 21st Dec. 2002 to 3rd Jan. 2003 (N.R. Milbourne).
  11. One male, adult, 26th-28th Dec. 2002 (N.R. Milbourne).
  12. One, immature or female, 30th Dec. 2002 (N.R. Milbourne).
  13. Three, immature or female, 12th January 2003 (N.R. Milbourne).
  14. One, immature or female, 1st Feb. to 1st March 2003 (N.R. Milbourne).
  15. One, immature or female, 13th Dec. 2003 (N.R. Milbourne).
  16. One, immature or female, 7th Jan. 2004 (S. Isgar). See note 6 below.
  17. One female, adult, 12th Feb. 2005 (N.R. Milbourne).
  18. One female, adult, 7th Jan. 2006 (N.R. Milbourne).
  19. One male, adult, 7th-14th January 2006 (N.R. Milbourne).
  20. One male, adult, 29th Dec. 2006 (N.R. Milbourne).
  21. Two, immature or female, 23rd Feb. to 2nd March 2007 (N.R. Milbourne, M.I. Pearce & R.J. Palmer).
  22. One, immature or female, 20th Feb. to 13th March 2010 (P. Delve, N.R. Milbourne et al.).
  23. One female, not aged, 10th-28th Feb. 2011 (C. Hunt, N.R. Milbourne).

Note 1: Date given as 8th April in ABR 2000, but may have been recorded by someone else on that date.

Note 2: Date given as 13th January only in ABR 2001. Correct dates given here.

Note 3: Date given as 13th January only in ABR 2001. Correct dates given here.

Note 4: These records were not published in ABR 2001 although they were submitted.

Note 5: Date given as 17th January in ABR 2002. This may have been a misprint, or, someone elses record. Correct date given here.

Note 6: Record not published and presumably not submitted to AOG. Probably the same bird seen in December 2003.

As long ago as 1917, Donald Carr, the former head keeper at the lake, wrote “Several smew have been shot this season; they have not visited Blagdon for several years.” Then again, in 1921 he wrote ” On December 27th six Smew were killed, five were females and immature males, the sixth was a most magnificent male in full dress.” The Tenant kindly presented me with this fine specimen which is now in my collection. This is the first time I have seen a male in full plumage on inland waters.”

Bibliography (sources of information):

  1. Davis, A.H. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2000. Avon Ornithological Group.
  2. Davis, A.H. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2001. Avon Ornithological Group.
  3. Davis, A.H. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2002. Avon Ornithological Group.
  4. Davis, A.H. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2003. Avon Ornithological Group.
  5. Hunt, C. pers. comm.
  6. Isgar, S. pers. comm.
  7. Milbourne, N.R. Personal Notebooks.
  8. Pearce, M.I. pers. comm.
  9. Rose, Dr H.E. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2004. Avon Ornithological Group.
  10. Rose, Dr H.E. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2005. Avon Ornithological Group.
  11. Rose, Dr H.E. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2006. Avon Ornithological Group.
  12. Rose, Dr H.E. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2007. Avon Ornithological Group.
  13. Rose, Dr H.E. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2010. Avon Ornithological Group.
  14. Rose, Dr H.E. (ed.). Avon Bird Report, 2011. Avon Ornithological Group.