Wednesday, 9 July 2025

20250709 White-winged Scoter& Velvet Scoter, Musselburgh Lothian


20250709 White-winged Scoter
First sighting of bird with Velvet flock of males at some distance...
Expertly located by 'Stuart the Bike', so shot away at flock, Big Black at 16890mm achieved ID.

 
20250709 Velvet Scoter
Noted that male Velvets came in close on seawall...
Is this the Brit Isles mecca for Velvet's, and shots?

20250710 Surf Scoter
Early morn of 10th, sea as a mill pond...!!





20250710 White-winged Scoter
Swam inshore to join male velvets diving for food.

20250710 White-winged Scoter

20250710 White-winged Scoter
Passing eclipse male C Eider on its way inshore to join feeding male Velvet flock...
The larger bulk of the Eiders body and head was obvious even at maximum distance,
and when the birds were roosting.
Note the broken nose shape of the White-wing's bill.

20250710 White-winged Scoter
Broken nose profile compare to the Velvet's smooth concave  profile.

20170127 Velvet Scoter
48 off Titch with EB Scoter. As good as it gets in Norfolk.


20161205 Velvet Scoter
With a record Long-tailed Duck flock off Titch.



20250710 Lesser Black Backed Gull
At the mouth of the Esk River early morn.
Intermedius uppers tone this far North... but strong bill and bulky.

20250710 White-winged Scoter
Larger and more rounded head with a very deep bill base.
Sea-duck just off the sea-wall!

20250713 White-winged Scoter
Joined 3 female Velvets off The Cast nr Prestonpans

20250713 Velvet Scoter
Numbers still increasing off Musselburgh after 5 days.


Friday, 4 July 2025

20250704 Caspian Tern, Cley Marshes

 




20250704 Caspian Tern
Underparts.


20250704



20250704 Yellow-legged Gull

20250704 Caspian Tern
Upperparts. Short white tail with a couple of darker feathers...
Inner secondaries have slightly darker grey centres,
but overall the bird is in adult breeding plumage.

20250704 Caspian Tern
Loafing with Med and BHGulls.

20250704 Caspian Tern