Ruddy Sheldrake - 1894

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Accidental visitor.

During the summer of 1892, a large number of Ruddy Sheldrakes visited this country, an immigration almost as extraordinary in its way as the incursions of Pallas' Sandgrouse, and flocks appeared at many places on all the coasts of England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, and many examples were shot. One was obtained out of a small flock near St. David's during the month of July that year. These birds had probably come from North Africa.

This beautiful species, which also bears the name of the Brahminy Duck, and is abundant in India, is commonly kept on ornamental ponds, and the few occurrences which had been previously noted in this kingdom have been usually regarded as escapes.

Mathew M.A. 1894, Birds of Pembrokeshire and it's Islands