The Ruddy Duck in Britain

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. The ruddy duck was not native to the British Isles but was an introduced species. In which of these regions is the ruddy duck an indigenous species? Australia North America Africa Asia

2. The ruddy duck is a diving duck belonging to which family? Sawbill Pochard Goldeneye Stifftail

3. Which colour is the bill of the male ruddy duck? Blue Yellow Red Black

4. Ruddy ducks first began breeding in Britain during the 1940/50s. These ducks were almost certainly escapees from the Slimbridge bird reserve in Gloucestershire. Which famous naturalist developed this site on the River Severn estuary? Sir Peter Scott Sir Charles Darwin Sir David Attenborough Bill Oddie

5. The ruddy duck was not alone in being an introduced species of waterfowl. Which of these ducks was also accidentally introduced into Britain? Mandarin Pintail Garganey Shoveler

6. Why was it thought necessary to destroy all of the ruddy ducks in Britain? Ruddy ducks were interbreeding with rare Spanish ducks Ruddy ducks were having detrimental effects on native duck species Ruddy ducks were destroying native fish stocks Ruddy ducks were suspected of carrying avian bird flu

7. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is the biggest and one of the most vociferous of Britain's conservation bodies. Which of these phrases described the official position of the RSPB over the culling of the ruddy duck? Reluctant approval Complete indifference Strong opposition Enthusiastic support

8. There had been a precedent for the eradication of a non-native species in Britain. Which one of these species is now no longer found living wild in the British countryside? Coypu Signal crayfish Grey squirrel Mink

9. Which of these was the main method employed in eradicating the ruddy duck? Shooting Capture and humane disposal Poisoning Capture and return to place of origin

10. A minor inconvenience caused by the eradication programme was that one bird organisation had to change its logo from the ruddy duck to the grey heron. Which of these organisations was forced to make the change? West Midlands Bird Club British Trust for Ornithology Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust