Rare duck spotted in Westbury

A rare duck has been spotted on a Westbury lake, surprising a local resident who noticed it among a group of more common wild birds.

The sighting was made at The Mead Lakes, where Dave Townsend came across the bird alongside a flock of mallards, a familiar species across the UK.

After taking photographs, he identified it as an American Wood Duck, a non-native species more commonly found in North America and only occasionally seen in the wild in Britain.

“We just saw it and thought it was unusual,” said Dave.

The bird stood out due to its striking colouring and markings, which differ significantly from the mallards it was seen alongside.

According to the British Trust for Ornithology, Wood Ducks are often kept in private or ornamental collections, meaning occasional escapees can appear in the wild. The species is not established in the UK.

The organisation says sightings are uncommon but not unheard of, particularly around lakes and parkland areas where captive waterfowl are kept.