Lone Ruddy Duck, Jordan Lake

[Psbmt@aol.com]

Jill Froning and I were out and about Jordan Lake for a short while this 
afternoon.  At the Big Woods Rd. Park Headquarters, the gate was open so we 
drove in and to the left, where they sometimes fly remote control planes.  
There sitting on the shore in the small bay was a male Ruddy Duck.  He was on 
the sand, close to the water's edge, with his feet out behind him.  We, 
thinking he was sick or injured, got within 20' of him, and then he went into 
the water.  We did see that his right wing feathers were different than his 
left, either injured by a hunter, ..... not sure if could fly.

Would like to know if this behavior (being alone, no flock around, and 
sitting on the shore) is odd for this duck.  I read that they can be 
sluggish, also can be in large winter flocks, and are helpless on land.    

Thanks for any info,
Shelley Theye
N. Chatham County, NC
Psbmt@aol.com