Oh Carolina!

Having been to Watergrove Reservoir in Rochdale for most of the day, I decided to call in to see the long-staying drake Carolina Wood Duck at Alexandra Park in Oldham this afternoon.

Unfortunately this beautiful perching duck is not tickable as it's not part of the official UK Bird List. This is because it's an introduced species from North America, rather than wild indigenous or migrant species. Apparently however, the bird can fly and it isn't ringed, which is unusual for a captive escapee.