Scoter, Musselburgh, UK (4 Viewers)

[Hyrax]

I was going through some photos my wife had taken of Velvet Scoter at Musselburgh on boxing day and noticed the individual on the left has a markedly pinkish bill compared to the others, which I thought suggests one of the White-winged Scoter sub-species, stejnegeri or deglandi. It also appears to have a more pronounced bill knob visible in the heavier crop.

I've had little experience of these species so would appreciate some help with this one. Feel like I've overlooked something.

Thanks in advance,

Owen

 

[Andy1979]

Looks interesting... Sorry, can't really help much more than that.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Looks like a Surf Scoter to me H but wait for the experts.

Rich

Edit. Maybe not looking at Google images. There's some similar Velvet Scoters.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

I can't open the bottom picture and it is therefore very small on a phone. What is the extent of the white 'tear' around the eye, is it the same as the other birds present or more pronounced?

Stephen

 

[Hyrax]

I can't open the bottom picture and it is therefore very small on a phone. What is the extent of the white 'tear' around the eye, is it the same as the other birds present or more pronounced?

Stephen

Hi Stephen,

I attached it the same as the other pictures but because it is such a close crop that's as big as it gets. I can see it a bit better zooming in on the original images here. The distance and resolution make the extent and angle of the white tear difficult for me to discern either way.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Thanks. I have squinted at it and can't make out the longer upward pointing 'tear'. I would be happy to be proved wrong though.

Stephen

 

[JustinG]

It's got the bill of a Surf Scoter (almost), but the 'forehead' white patch is missing. Strange bird.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Not sure where all this Surf Scoter vibe is coming from. It clearly has the white wing flash and face markings of one of the Velvet group.

Stephen

 

[Ratal]

Velvet Scoter gets my vote.

 

[lou salomon]

i think owen is right: looks good for a white-winged scoter.

 

[Samuel Perfect]

WWScoter does look like the best bet! Brilliant find, congrats!!!

 

[Ratal]

i think owen is right: looks good for a white-winged scoter.

Lords above....hit me like a bolt as soon as I brought the pic up on the computer. White Winged indeed.

Phone screens no good for this game.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Yeah, looks good for a white winged to me too

 

[Hyrax]

Yes just to clarify - definitely not a Surf Scoter, although we did see one about a mile away. This is either an aberrant Velvet Scoter or one of the White-winged Scoter species/subspecies; I'm not sure of their taxanomic status. As far as I'm aware the latter is extremely rare in the UK, so unlikely to be the case but I thought it worth posting to be sure.

 

[Hyrax]

Sorry posting too slowly! If it is one this is my wife's find, unfortunately I can't claim to have even seen the bird, I was too busy chasing the Surf Scoter.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

I don't know whether to congratulate you or not then, given it looks like you have hit the jackpot but didn't see it in the field.

Stephen

 

[Gomphus]

Definitely White-winged Scoter! The knob doesn't look big enough for Stejneger's amongst a few other things.

Cracking find... As Stephen says don't know whether to say congrats or commiserations!

ATB

Steph'

 

[Paul Chapman]

Did your wife mention any cheerleaders?

All the best

Paul

 

[Hyrax]

I'm kicking myself for not having payed more attention on the day, probably go back for a vane search tomorrow morning. Not a competitive lister but all the same.....

 

[Ratal]

Scoters hang around a fair bit. Id go at least have a scan for a couple of hours. Go bag a connect!