Very rare visitor.

Ruddy Ducks are native birds of North America that colonised southern and central England following the escape of captive birds from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Slimbridge during the 1950’s. Their spread has been considered to be a conservation disaster as they are believed to have spread as far as Spain and hybridised with the endangered White – headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephali). In 2000 the UK Government initiated a programme of shooting to try and eliminate the species.

Three records from Fairlands Valley Lakes: One on 23 April 1983 (this was the first record for North Hertfordshire), a female on 17 July 2000 and, a drake and duck on 29 July 2000.