Black-throated Diver? (1 Viewer)

[PelomyLemony]

Hi, Diver help please.

Having not taken my main camera with me I was reduced to phone camera through bins as the light was fading. Saw this dark Diver, which if zoomed in can also make out a dark neck patch too. Fully dark head with no white, back appeared dark with slight pale edges to feathers. White underneath. Bill seems slightly upwards (isn't this a feature of red necked) found close to beach, along north norfolk coast this afternoon.
My Id books only show breeding and wi tiring plumage, assume if BTD this is I termediate plumage?

https://imgur.com/a/u3lqDeG

Being colour blind as a birder is never easy especially when trying to determine whether features are red or not. Thanks in advance.

 

[PelomyLemony]

Pictures 3 and 4 probably the best of the bunch

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
heavy artefacts appearantly alters features and therefor judging patterns and colours is hard at best (no offense you know), but I would say its a Red throated Diver by

• angular head shape with peaked crown
• slender bill, yes upturned too. But I think its difficult to be sure of exact shape
• I would expect a Black TD to have a stronger neck in relation to the body

But better wait for confirmation or more posts. Thanks!

 

[Richard D]

I'd also go with Red-Throated. Lack of an upturned bill doesn't rule our RTD but it's presence is generally a good indicator.

 

[Butty]

Head isn't all-dark. Forget about seeing any red on any diver in autumn/winter. Head/bill shape looks fine for red-throated diver 👍🏻

 

[MartinH80]

Definitely red-throated: if you zoom in on your first photo you can see the bird still has a red throat patch visible. Also grey head and bill shape.

 

[Butty]

red throat patch visible

The 'colour' (I wouldn't call it red anyway) and probably the whole throat-patch are photo-artefact. Compare the other photos, one of which appears to show complete absence of throat-patch. In photos of this low quality (no offence) there is very little that you can rely on as being real.