Return of the ring-necked duck

The drake ring-necked duck was back on Taylor Park lake St Helens this morning, in one of the few open patches of water. With 95% of the lake iced over, it had no choice but to stay close to the side where I must say it seemed the most timid of all the ducks present, which included several tufted ducks.

I've never really understood the warped logic which says that if a duck is close then it's most probably an escape. Really? Presumably all of the tufted ducks it was with must be escapes then? Along with all of those hooded mergansers and buffleheads I saw in USA. Not to forget the whooper swans I saw walking around a busy car park in Glasgow, all escapes. 

It's has not really left St Helens since it returned for its second winter back in November, but it seems to spend most of its time on nearby Eccleston Mere which is almost completely inaccessible.

Shortly after I saw it this morning it was most probably flushed off Taylor Park by two lads throwing a Titanic size lump of ice into the lake right by where it had been. Birds flying in all directions and the ring-necked duck was not relocated. I'm sure it will be back though.