Cardigan bay, Wales specifically Aberporth (1 Viewer)

[mary99]

Hello,

I wondered if any local birders could confirm sightings of common scooters around Aberporth. They were quite a way off but in the scope there was a group of 10/15 birds, most all black with yellow on their bills although some birds looked a little browner. They were around the same spot in the bay for a few days.

In the book common scooters fitted the bill in behaviour and looks but it would be great if a local could confirm.


Or if anyone has any other suggestions what they could be?

Thanks
Mary

 

[chris butterworth]

Your ID sounds right. The largest wintering population of Common Scoter in the UK is in Cardigan / Carmarthen Bay with over 34, 000 counted in the latter in the winter of 2010 / 11.

Chris

 

[mary99]

Thanks Chris, that is really useful information.
Any other recent local spots just to confirm for 2013?
Mary

 

[chris butterworth]

Thanks Chris, that is really useful information.
Any other recent local spots just to confirm for 2013?
Mary

I'm afraid not, but they are regularly seen in fairly large numbers all down the west coast. Most of the ones I see off the Wirral are a flying a couple of miles out. If you check the horizon and see a line of small (ish) dark birds snaking up and down, a bit like they are on an invisible rollercoaster, they'll be Scoter.

Chris

 

[mary99]

The ones I saw were just floating about in a group in the bay, there practically every day I was there ( a weeks holiday).