Scoter? Seawatching from a hotel balcony (1 Viewer)

Stuart Goodwin

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2017

• #1

Morning all.

Can anyone help? I believe these are Common Scoter.

Also, based on my observations, would you record/tick this! This would be a lifer but I want to tick based on the evidence rather than "it sort of fits plus its a lifer!"

In Deal, Kent, this morning I saw a flock (c20) of black birds flying fairly quickly low to the sea, occasionally rising in height but quickly going back down. The birds were c50-100m beyond the pier.

The birds were heading up the coast towards Thanet.

I've discounted Brent Geese as there were no visible white patches and the height the birds were flying at. Cormorants are different shape and I've never seen a flock flying in this manner.

Thank you in advance.

 

S

Simon Wates

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2017

• #2

Great description of flight that fits Common Scoter very well - but no picture?

 

Stuart Goodwin

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2017

• #3

Simon Wates said:

Great description of flight that fits Common Scoter very well - but no picture?

Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply, I only had my I-phone and they were too far out.

Regards

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Oct 7, 2017

• #4

Likely Common Scoter; the only alternative is a flock of Teal in poor light, which can look surprisingly dark.

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2017

• #5

Scoter always look to me like they are on an invisible roller coaster (when flying of course)

 

Stuart Goodwin

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2017

• #6

Nutcracker said:

Likely Common Scoter; the only alternative is a flock of Teal in poor light, which can look surprisingly dark.

Click to expand...

I hadn't considered Teal, the early(ish) morning light was pretty good.

Thank you for the reply.

Regards

 

Stuart Goodwin

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2017

• #7

Jane Turner said:

Scoter always look to me like they are on an invisible roller coaster (when flying of course)

Click to expand...

The flock were fairly fluid with the height they were flying, although never to high.

Thank you for the reply.

Regards

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2017

• #8

This is a video I took of a few 1000 scoter last month

https://twitter.com/Turnershbo/status/911583564524867584

Gives you an idea how they fly

 

Stuart Goodwin

Well-known member

• Oct 8, 2017

• #9

Jane Turner said:

This is a video I took of a few 1000 scoter last month

https://twitter.com/Turnershbo/status/911583564524867584

Gives you an idea how they fly

Click to expand...

Not jealous at all! honest.

I'm thinking about investigating the best time to head to Dungeness to do some sea watching. Thanks for sharing the video.

Regards