Somerset, UK Duck (1 Viewer)

[rylirk]

Went for a Common Scoter at Blagdon Lake yesterday. We didn't think we'd had it at the time, but now I'm thinking that these 2 (terrible) photos might say otherwise? Doesn't look right for either coot or female Tufted Duck for me, and I'm not sure what else it could be besides the drake Scoter known to be on site?

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
yes I agree with you its a male Common Scoter. Black and round body in the right proportions and the right yellow colour to the bill-knob. I think the bills jizz is only shifted by picture quality.

Edit: please note, that Coot has a dark coal grey, nearly black body and a real black head/neck. This is sometimes evident, and I think this could be visible/judgeable here.

 

[stevethehydra]

I wouldn't want to rule out Coot from those images.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
yes I agree with Steve, Butty and rylirk (to date), but imagine: you scan a lake (or similar) and you get this image. The word "Common Scoter would come into my mind by the mentioned points and I would give the bird a closer look.
Yes, I agree with you, that this isnt the answer that rylirk needs here0confident ID of a presumed rare bird, but I would still opt for a Common Scooter in quiz modus. Doesnt meant as an offense as always.

 

[WildPhotographer]

Knowing Blagdon lake intimately and the distance you are looking at, it matches the Scoter I also saw yesterday afternoon. The yellow bill was very distinctive (I have seen many Soccer's off the Moray coast). Coots were present yesterday, but all were relatively close in or around in the area by Green lawn to the East.

 

[THE_FERN]

I wouldn't want to rule out Coot from those images.

Well yes except that that yellow bill colour really isn't an artifact.

 

[Butty]

that yellow bill colour really isn't an artifact

So vague that I can very easily ascribe it to being photo-artefact. The photos are too poor (no offence, etc, etc).

 

[THE_FERN]

So vague that I can very easily ascribe it to being photo-artefact. The photos are too poor (no offence, etc, etc).

Disagree. Clearly yellow for me. That's only enough to rule out coot, but WildPhotographer has confirmed what it is.

 

[Butty]

Disagree (etc etc). But let's not (go on) repeat(ing) ourselves...

 

[Richard Prior]

Disagree (etc etc). But let's not (go on) repeat(ing) ourselves...

Ah go on go on go on

Where’s Mrs Doyle when you need her? I’m sure she’d encourage continuing this minor disagreement…..

 

[WildPhotographer]

Normally I would not support an ID based on a picture of poor quality (no offence etc), but having been at the site, my local patch, at a very similar time, seen where the bird was and also knowing where the coots and tufties were sheltering from the the significant breeze and waves, I would say this is the Scoter I also saw, especially with such a yellow bill.

 

[Butty]

But let's not (go on) repeat(ing) ourselves...

 

[jogresh]

Yep, you snapped the scoter!

 

[Bismarck Honeyeater]

Is it photographic artefact that the bill appears quite prominently yellow? Have observers ruled out the ‘remote chance’ that it could be Black Scoter?

 

[WildPhotographer]

Is it photographic artefact that the bill appears quite prominently yellow? Have observers ruled out the ‘remote chance’ that it could be Black Scoter?

Good thought. TBH 'photographic artefact' is an oft repeated myth. It was ID'd very close too yesterday by a well respected local birder. Here is a close picture by another local birder Brian Thompson on Twitter

 

[dantheman]

Good thought. TBH 'photographic artefact' is an oft repeated myth.

Except in distant/moving/crappy/poor shots, poor light etc etc ... ??

 

[Butty]

TBH 'photographic artefact' is an oft repeated myth.

This could be interesting - do tell us more . . .

 

[KenM]

Another for Drake Common Scoter…the amount of white/yellow to the bill is compatible with the aforesaid and the shape of the c45 degree back sloping into the water, is not untypical of CS, certainly not Tufty or Coot.

Cheers

 

[dantheman]

;-)

If it was a lifer, and/or if at a location where there wasn't known to be a Common Scoter, and might be various other seaducks/ducks/waterbirds etc I'm hoping people wouldn't be quite so confident ...

 

[Jon Turner]

And, has it been seen today?