Scoter and more scoter (1 Viewer)

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Dec 15, 2003

• #1

On the Prom today there was a brisk northward movement of Common Scoter, 400 in about 15 minutes close in. Such movement in this direction is unusual at midday, but all became clear when a fishing boat passed relatively close inshore in the same direction.

Boats other than very small craft are unusual so close in, and this one may have been adrift of where it was supposed to be as it soon tacked out to sea on a north western course. Clearly a large raft of scoter were in its path and they soon took to the skies. At one point I estimated c5000 covering about two miles north to south continually landing and taking flight again. This is easily the biggest group I've seen from land, though c30,000 are out there (as counted from planes).

It really is a fantastic sight, it is just a shame they have to be disturbed for it to be enjoyed from shore.

Stephen.

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Dec 15, 2003

• #2

That number, there's gotta be a Surf Scoter among them . . . good luck finding it!

Michael

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Dec 15, 2003

• #3

Michael,

I agree - only a small proportion are ever close enough to stand a chance though! Will keep trying.

Stephen.

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #4

I live in hope of a Surf scoter too..but mine will have to be in flight. They are always too far off. Can't see the BBRC being too impressed with that!

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Dec 15, 2003

• #5

Jane Turner said:

I live in hope of a Surf scoter too..but mine will have to be in flight. They are always too far off. Can't see the BBRC being too impressed with that!

Click to expand...

But you don't need me to tell you that they don't have to be these days! I know it isn't rational, but I can't help feeling that a bird somehow gets devalued when it gets knocked off the national rarities list.

Jason

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Dec 15, 2003

• #6

Jason,

At least Surf Scoter doesn't have a high escape risk, which leaves its value higher than most other wildfowl. Can't bring myself to go for the Martin Mere Red-breasted Goose, simply don't believe it is wild despite the sympathetic treatment on the news services / rarity photo pages.

Stephen.

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Dec 15, 2003

• #7

True, Stephen. As for the goose, you're just as likely to be right (if not more so) than the news services. They usually prefer to give a bird the benefit of the doubt if there's the slightest chance of it being wild - unless it comes to bread (even though the BBRC pointed out years ago that this is not at all a reliable indicator of capitive origin!)

Jason

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Dec 15, 2003

• #8

Hire a canoe?

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #9

Is Surf Scoter no longer BBRC.. well I am out of touch.... and I didn't find one. Usually me finding a rarity is a guarantee it will be off the list withing a year!

I think a pedalo would be more in keeping off Blackpool!

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Dec 15, 2003

• #10

It's bizarre, Stephen - our numbers are really down this year - biggest flock so far has been about 40 birds!!

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Dec 15, 2003

• #11

Well Chris, looking at the recent Filey record that should entitle you to two Surf Scoter on a ratio of 1:20.

Hiring a suitable boat with a viewing platform costs an arm and a leg, and to be honest given how VERY skittish scoter are I couldn't live with myself as they wheeled round for half an hour or more.

Stephen.

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Dec 15, 2003

• #12

Stephen Dunstan said:

Well Chris, looking at the recent Filey record that should entitle you to two Surf Scoter on a ratio of 1:20.

Click to expand...

Mmmm, east coast seawatching records......

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Dec 15, 2003

• #13

Oooh, that's a bit below the belt, isn't it?

Jason

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Dec 15, 2003

• #14

Depends on your interpretation of "Mmmmm", Jason!!

 

D

Denis J

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #15

Nowt wrong with east coast seawatching I'll have you know. even got a glaucus gull yesterday)

 

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Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Dec 16, 2003

• #16

Denis,

That's not seawatching - where's the sea!

Stephen.

 

D

Denis J

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2003

• #17

The tide's out

 

D

Denis J

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2003

• #18

OK fair cop I was actually pierwatching...but it's still a Glaucus Gull

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Dec 16, 2003

• #19

Denis,

Indeed, nice find.

Stephen.

 

S

sparrowbirder

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2003

• #20

Stephen, weres the best to go seawatching in Blackpool,sounds like a decent place, a mate of mine used to live in the area and he always seawached off north prom I believe, also about the RBG I havent been either,even though its been at Marshside as well,seem to remember a bird around in the summer,probably the same one,cant see what a wild one is doing with pinks!!