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At ca. 8.00pm, in poorish light on nmsmall inshore islet at estimated 200-300 metres through Leica telescope (zooms 20X to 60X) at estimated 40x-60X.
Identification: Bigger than Mallard (which were present) reddish-brown head, deeper colour than female or eclipse male R.B. Merganser very clear demarcation between head colour and white of lower neck and underparts. upper parts a (almost bluish) grey, definitely not brownish grey of female or eclipse male R.B. Merganser. Size would indicate most probably eclipse male Goosander, but long view in poorish light means I could not absolutely rule out female (though a female seen in winter 2011 was similar in size to mallard).
I regard colour of head and upper parts and sharp demarcation of border between red head and white lower neck as making identification absolutely clear.
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