Rare species of duck spotted in Thamesmead (From News Shopper)

Rare species of duck spotted on West Lake in Thamesmead

10:20am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Bexley By Kelly Smale

AN EXTREMELY rare species of duck has been spotted in Thamesmead.

The female Ferruginous duck was seen on West Lake and can be best observed from Morrisons car park in Twin Tumps Way.

Ferruginous ducks live in marshes and lakes which are at least a metre deep.

London Wildlife Trust conservation ecologist Tony Wileman said: “What makes the sighting, initially made by local birdwatchers Richard Bonser and John Archer, so unique is that the ducks are decreasing in numbers throughout Europe.

"Only about five sightings of them are ever reported annually in Britain.

"They usually opt for hotter European and north African climates such as Greece, France, Spain and Turkey.”

However, the sighting of a mink at Thamesmere East Lake in Thamesmead did not receive such a great reception from conservationists.

Trust community project officer John Paul Taberdo said: "It is a great concern from an ecological perspective.

“Mink in the British wildlife can have a devastating impact on European water voles - which can be found in the Erith Marshes.

"Water Voles are an endangered species and are protected in the UK.

“We are talking to different organisations to agree how to manage the situation.”

London Wildlife Trust is the only charity dedicated solely to protecting the capital's wildlife and wild spaces.

Head of environmental services at Gallions Housing Association, Tom Broad, said: “It gives me great pleasure to hear the positive news about the sighting of a Ferruginous duck.

“We are aware the presence of mink could have a detrimental effect on the Water Vole population and so will continue to work with all partner organisations to find a suitable solution to the problem.”