A nice surprise at Porthdinllaen this afternoon. The 1st winter female was fishing about 50 m out catching and gulping down one crab after the other and even ate a bit of seagrass. Pictures were dissappointing as the bird kept diving. It was a very brown bird with a white belly and a mottled breast. The head shape was surprisingly variable and sometimes recalled velvet scoter when she raised her forehead feathers.
At other times more like a classic surf with a "slicked back hair" continuing the line of the chunky bill over the flat-top head.
The wings were kept partially open when diving - a bit like an auk and the the tail was splayed reavaling a fan of ragged thin feathers with gaps between them
You calling me a tuftie?
crab salad
The wings were kept partially open when diving - a bit like an auk and the the tail was splayed reavaling a fan of ragged thin feathers with gaps between them
You calling me a tuftie?
crab salad
Fantastic Rhys!
ReplyDeleteNice one Rhys and so close.Pity we didn't get the drakes off Llandulas as close.
ReplyDeleteGreat find, Rhys. How many is that off the North Wales coast this winter? Six? Makes you wonder how many females get missed in the big flocks offshore. I can't even find a male amongst the thousands in Tremadog Bay at the moment!
ReplyDeleteNice one Rhys. We'd find more if we had the Hubble telescope. Apparently boats are non starters as they flush when you get within 2 - 3km! (Info provided by Andy Clarke, Scoter Stalker).
ReplyDeleteCool bird still shovelling down the custaceans at dusk - back of the net Mr Jones!
DeleteIt's true them scoters are well jittery. Get yourself down here Steve with the canoe and camera - it's remarkably close inshore (and much nicer looking than that boring brown Starling).
Cool bird still shovelling down the custaceans at dusk - back of the net Mr Jones!
DeleteIt's true them scoters are well jittery. Get yourself down here Steve with the canoe and camera - it's remarkably close inshore (and much nicer looking than that boring brown Starling).
Thanks for telling me that it was there Rhys, a great sightings. A great harbour it has chosen, clean water with lots of fish and crabs. Maybe others will join it.
ReplyDeleteHi Shirley - no disrespect - would have loved to have found a Rose-coloured Starling in my garden, preferably a proper pink one!
Delete:-)
Every time I see a flock of Starlings I wonder if my Rosy' is amongst them. It'll be nearly in adult plumage by now. I'm in disgrace I haven't been to see the Scoter, I've been working and had family staying. I'm going to look tomorrow.
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