BIRD watchers were out for a duck at Pennington Flash this week after rangers spotted a rare canvasback bedding down at the reserve.

The wild diver, latin name aythya vallisineria, is usually only found in north America and has a white rounded body, grey back and black chest with large feet, legs set back and a broad bill.

The bird which eats aquatic plants is one of the most powerful flyers of all ducks capable of speeds of 120km an hour.

Wigan Council countryside services manager, Graham Workman, said: "It's certainly turning into a good year for spotting rare birds. The canvasback obviously knows a well-managed nature reserve when it sees one. It should cause more interest among bird watchers."

Last month spotters from across the country flocked to the Leigh beauty spot as it became the temporary home to a whiskered tern, rarely seen outside sunny southern Europe.