01/05/2023 Lower Largo, Fife

Stejneger's Scoter: A first for Britain, this rhino horned scoter has turned up within a 500+ strong super flock of velvet scoter. 

The drake Stejneger's have a number of differing characteristics from that of the white-winged scoter. With winged typically darker yellow coloration of most of the bill and a less tall bill knob similar to the velvet scoter. 

Stejneger's have a very tall knob, that really stands out in the field and the base of their bill is orange-yellow. White-winged scoters tend to have "two-stepped" profile between the bill and the head, compared to the long "Roman nose" profile of Stejneger's scoter similar to that of a common eider. 

White-winged Scoter: Not only was the super flock home to the Stejneger's but three white-winged scoter, both new birds for my British list.

 

White-winged & Velvet Scoter: This image shows the contrast and comparrsion between the bill shape and coloration of the white winged (left) and the velvet scoter (right).

Velvet Scoter: Not to be overlooked were the much more numerous velvets, while I was there the sea was like a still glass pond with very light winds and no white topped waves.  Lower Largo is s a quaint seaside village overlooking the Firth of Forth and offers the scoters a quiet sheltered bay to over winter within. 

Just before we left for home a small velvet flock landed close to the shore giving us some brilliant views of several males change a male and collectivey feeding. 

16/12/2018 High Rid Reservoir, Bolton

Velvet Scoter: This superb sea duck specialist is more at home on the high seas but has made a dark, cold lake in the moors of Bolton  at high rid its home for the last few weeks.

For a long while I had the place to myself, free from toggers and birders and after yesterdays very poor weather it was lovely to be out under the blue skies and calm winds, but it wasn't long until I was joined by other birders.

The velvet scoter appeared to be unperplexed by the groups of birders, dog walkers and joggers in their high vis clothing and was happily diving, resting up and good views.

Common scoters are dark, almost jet black in colour but the velvet scoter has an attractive white patch around its eye and also a white wing patch, which is very evident when it flies or preens on the water.

It won't stay forever and it was great to catch up with the bird again.

25/11/2018 High Rid Reservoir, Bolton

Velvet Scoter: Nice Manchester tick and a nice find for Phil Rhodes.

Definitely should have worn my thermals ‘tis cold up in em’hills’

07/12/2016 Trench Pool, Telford, Shropshire

Velvet Scoter: Another great trip out, this time to Shropshire in search of the  resident Velvet Scoter that has been wintering on Trench Pool.

The bird has been here for a few weeks now and seems happy enough amongst the Tufted Ducks, however it doesn't tolerate any gulls and several times I observed it attacking the gulls on the pool.

Tricky bird to get close to as it was extremely flighty and would be spooked easily by anyone passing by.

The bird seemed to spend time in the centre of the pool either preening or loafing and goes to the far end to forage and feed.

The best bet is to sit low on one of the fishing platforms on the eastern corner and wait for the bird to come to you.

Unfortunately I didnt have enough time to implement this strategy and the sun was always in the wrong position.

Still, despite the poor images it was great to see the bird and it's diagnostic features such as it's white speculum and distinctive white secondaries up close.