When I was bird-watching around the London reservoirs in the early 1970s, I will remember what a red-letter day it was to see a Gadwall, Anas strepera. It has to be admitted that the drake is dull and rather boring compared with other, more showy drake dabbling ducks, but that flash of white and chestnut on the wings and the subtle vermiculations on the chest and flanks all give this duck some distinction.