Sea ducks (1 Viewer)

[Owene]

Covid restrictions allowing I will be in Scotland in late august. I’ve never seen velvet scoter (or any rarer scoters) is that too early for them? And if not is there anywhere aside from Musselburgh where they are easily seen.

also I noticed today that Elvis is back at ythan Generally speaking Is he likely to still be there in late august

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I would be surprised if Elvis is still around the Ythan in late August. It's harder to say where he will be, but Burghead Bay might be a good bet.

Velvet Scoters can be a bit unpredictable and I would say Musselburgh is probably the best place I know of for seeing them reliably and at fairly close range. Other good spots (particularly at that time of the year) would be Largo Bay, St Andrews Bay, Lunan Bay and Murcar/ Blackdog. There aren't many scoters at the latter site at the moment though.

 

[Owene]

Thank you. Much appreciated

 

[burnie]

St. Andrews can be good for Scoters later in the year too

 

[david kelly]

Do you have anything against Musselburgh? It is really the best place to see Velvet Scoter in Scotland. August may be too early for Surf Scoter though! However, there is a good chance of Red-necked Grebe, there or at Gosford Bay.

David

 

[burnie]

Do you have anything against Musselburgh? It is really the best place to see Velvet Scoter in Scotland. August may be too early for Surf Scoter though! However, there is a good chance of Red-necked Grebe, there or at Gosford Bay.

David

I've never been David, on my list of places to go.

 

[Owene]

No I’d love to do Musselburgh. Had hotel booked there that got ruined by Covid. But I think the only way I could do it on this trip would be on the way home and adding several hours to my already long final drive. I am still considering doing that but a site further north would suit the trip more.

 

[Green Sandpiper]

Covid restrictions allowing I will be in Scotland in late august. I’ve never seen velvet scoter (or any rarer scoters) is that too early for them? And if not is there anywhere aside from Musselburgh where they are easily seen.

also I noticed today that Elvis is back at ythan Generally speaking Is he likely to still be there in late august

Gullane Point at Aberlady is good for Common Scoter

 

[david kelly]

No I’d love to do Musselburgh. Had hotel booked there that got ruined by Covid. But I think the only way I could do it on this trip would be on the way home and adding several hours to my already long final drive. I am still considering doing that but a site further north would suit the trip more.

Scotland isn’t that big, Musselburgh is an hour’s drive from Glasgow. To get from England to northern Scotland you will be within an hour’s drive from Mussie at some point.

David

 

[Owene]

Yeah, I could possibly do it on the way up rather than using the m6 all the way up. I'm starting from Rugby and finishing in Helensburgh on my first day but it doesn't have much birding planned so a detour might be doable.

 

[david kelly]

Yeah, I could possibly do it on the way up rather than using the m6 all the way up. I'm starting from Rugby and finishing in Helensburgh on my first day but it doesn't have much birding planned so a detour might be doable.

Check the tide, at low tide the Scoters could be way out and rough sea can make getting good views awkward. Enjoy your trip!

David