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  • Little Auk Alle alle - Summer Adult. L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    155555.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    155368.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice
    155369.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    120123.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    126270.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    137121.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    137122.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    145604.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    145605.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    145606.jpg
  • Little Auk Alle alle L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    145607.jpg
  • Little Auk - Alle alle. L 20cm. Our smallest auk with a dumpy body, short neck and tiny, stubby bill. Flies on whirring wingbeats and can look almost Starling-like in flight. Swims well and dive frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in winter has black cap, nape and back, and white underparts; at close range, note white lines on wings and tiny white crescent above eye. Not seen in breeding plumage in our region. Voice Silent at sea. Status Winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds where it is locally abundant. Probably numerous in N North Sea in winter but seldom comes close to land by choice.
    157893.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    141789.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    143784.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellata - winter. L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    157306.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellata - winter. L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    157304.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellata - winter. L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    157305.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellata - winter. L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    157302.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellata - winter. L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    157301.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellata - winter. L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    157300.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata - Winter Adult. L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    155559.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    125721.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    127225.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    128741.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    129510.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    137331.jpg
  • Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata L 55-65cm. Swims low in water, head and dagger-like bill tilted upwards. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has blue-grey on face and sides of neck, red throat and black-and-white lines on back and lower sides of neck. Upperparts are otherwise brownish grey and underparts are whitish. In winter, grey upperparts are spangled with small white spots; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but grubby-looking. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce breeding species; nests beside freshwater pools. Outside breeding season, found in shallow coastal seas; locally common in winter.
    137332.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    136010.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    137158.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits
    145636.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard - Netta rufina - female L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits
    157677.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    136068.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina - Male. L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits
    155390.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
 Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    154081.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
 Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    154082.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
 Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas
    154226.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
 Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    154235.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    104579.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    128864.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    128871.jpg
  • Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis L 40-47cm.<br />
Elegant diving duck, at home in roughest of seas. Dives for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. In flight, has dark wings and mainly white underparts. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male, in winter and spring looks mainly black, grey and white with buffish patch around eye and pink band on bill. In summer and eclipse (both seldom seen here) has mainly brown and black plumage, with white on belly and flanks and pale buff eye patch; bill is dark. Adult female, in winter is mainly brown and white; face is white except for dark cheek patch and crown. In summer, similar but face is mainly brown, with pale eye patch. Juvenile is similar to adult female in summer. Voice Male utters nasal ow–owlee. Status Mainly a winter visitor, commonest in N. Favours shallow coastal seas.
    136069.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits
    145601.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits
    145602.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits
    145630.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits
    145631.jpg
  • Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 54-57cm. Large, distinctive diving duck; male is unmistakable. Associates with other diving ducks. In flight, both sexes show striking white wing bars. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has rounded, bright orange head, black neck, breast, belly and stern, and white flanks. Back is grey-buff and bill is bright red. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains red bill. Adult female has mainly grey-buff plumage, darkest on back and above eye, and pale cheeks. Bill is mainly dark with pink tip. Juvenile Resembles adult female but bill is uniformly dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Occurs in mainland Europe; some records may be genuine vagrants but most sightings are certainly escapees; feral populations are now established. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
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  • Black Guillemot - Cepphus grylle - winter plumage.  L 34cm. Charming, coastal auk. Swims well and dives for Butterfish and other bottom-dwellers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has mainly sooty-brown plumage except for striking white patch on wing. Has red legs and orange-red gape. In winter, has scaly grey upperparts and white upperparts; black wings and contrasting white wing patch are retained. 1st winter bird is similar to a winter adult but white wing patch contains dark markings. Voice Utters high-pitched whistling calls. Status Local year-round resident in inshore waters of Ireland and N and W Scotland.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus - Winter. L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
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  • Dipper - Cinclus cinclus - juvenile. L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
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  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
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  • Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Greater Scaup Aythya marila L 42-51cm. Bulky diving duck. Recalls Tufted Duck but has rounded head without tufted crown. Gregarious outside breeding season. In flight, has striking white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male has green-glossed head and dark breast (look black in poor light). Belly and flanks are white, back is grey and stern is black. Has yellow eye and dark-tipped grey bill. In eclipse, dark elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest and greyest on flanks and back. Note white patch at base of bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but white on face is less striking. Voice Mostly silent. Status A few pairs breed but known best as local winter visitor, mostly to sheltered coasts.
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  • Smew Mergus albellus L 38-44cm. Elegant little diving duck. Male is stunning and unmistakable. Female might be confused with grebe in winter plumage. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male looks pure white at a distance but close view reveals black patch through eye and black lines on breast and back. In eclipse (not seen here) resembles adult female but retains more extensive white on wing. Adult female, Juvenile and 1st winter birds (so-called ‘Redhead’ Smews) have orange-red cap and nape, white on cheek and throat, and grey-brown body. Voice Silent. Status Occasional and unpredictable winter visitor. Turns up on flooded gravel pits, reservoirs and lakes.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Gannet Morus bassanus W 165-180cm. Our largest seabird. Has deep, powerful wingbeats and glides on stiffly held wings. Bill is large and dagger-like. Dives from a height to catch fish. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white plumage with black wingtips; head has buffish wash. Juvenile has dark brown plumage speckled with white dots in first year; adult plumage acquired over next 4 years. Voice Silent at sea; nesting birds utter grating calls. Status Very locally common (3/4 of world population breeds here). Nests colonially but otherwise strictly marine.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Ferruginous Duck - Aythya ferruginea. L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Ferruginous Duck - Aythya ferruginea. L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser - Adult Male. L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus - adult with chick. L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
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  • Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus - courting pair. L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
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  • Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus L 46-51cm. Graceful waterbird with slender neck and dagger-like bill. White wing panels revealed in flight. Dives frequently. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey-brown upperparts and mainly whitish underparts; head has black cap and crest, and orange-buff ruff bordering paler cheeks. Bill is pink and eye is red. In winter, has drab grey-brown and white plumage. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has dark stripes on cheeks. Voice Utters wails and croaks in breeding season. Status Locally common breeding species on lakes and reservoirs. Widespread in winter, when also found in inshore seas.
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  • Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle - Winter plumage. L 34cm. Charming, coastal auk. Swims well and dives for Butterfish and other bottom-dwellers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has mainly sooty-brown plumage except for striking white patch on wing. Has red legs and orange-red gape. In winter, has scaly grey upperparts and white upperparts; black wings and contrasting white wing patch are retained. 1st winter bird is similar to a winter adult but white wing patch contains dark markings. Voice Utters high-pitched whistling calls. Status Local year-round resident in inshore waters of Ireland and N and W Scotland.
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  • Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle - Winter plumage. L 34cm. Charming, coastal auk. Swims well and dives for Butterfish and other bottom-dwellers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has mainly sooty-brown plumage except for striking white patch on wing. Has red legs and orange-red gape. In winter, has scaly grey upperparts and white upperparts; black wings and contrasting white wing patch are retained. 1st winter bird is similar to a winter adult but white wing patch contains dark markings. Voice Utters high-pitched whistling calls. Status Local year-round resident in inshore waters of Ireland and N and W Scotland.
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  • Black Guillemot - Cepphus grylle - winter plumage.  L 34cm. Charming, coastal auk. Swims well and dives for Butterfish and other bottom-dwellers. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has mainly sooty-brown plumage except for striking white patch on wing. Has red legs and orange-red gape. In winter, has scaly grey upperparts and white upperparts; black wings and contrasting white wing patch are retained. 1st winter bird is similar to a winter adult but white wing patch contains dark markings. Voice Utters high-pitched whistling calls. Status Local year-round resident in inshore waters of Ireland and N and W Scotland.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser - Adult Male. L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator L 52-58cm. Slim duck with shaggy, spiky, crest. Dives frequently in search of fish. In flight, all birds show white on upper surface of inner wing; extent is greatest in male. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has narrow red bill, green head, white neck and orange-red breast. Flanks are grey and back is black. In eclipse, similar to adult female but retains extensive white on wing. Adult female has red bill, dirty orange head and nape and paler throat; body is otherwise greyish buff. Juvenile resembles adult female. Voice Mostly silent. Status Nests beside fish-rich lakes and rivers, mainly in N; locally common. Influx from N Europe boosts numbers in winter and then common on estuaries and sheltered coasts.
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  • Greater Scaup - Aythila marila - flock in flight. Bulky diving duck. Recalls Tufted Duck but has rounded head without tufted crown. Gregarious outside breeding season. In flight, has striking white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other respects. Adult male has green-glossed head and dark breast (look black in poor light). Belly and flanks are white, back is grey and stern is black. Has yellow eye and dark-tipped grey bill. In eclipse, dark elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest and greyest on flanks and back. Note white patch at base of bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but white on face is less striking. Voice Mostly silent. Status A few pairs breed but known best as local winter visitor, mostly to sheltered coasts.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula - Male. L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Coot Fulica atra L 36-38cm. Robust waterbird, often found with Moorhen. Has lobed toes. Feeds by upending, making shallow dives or grazing waterside vegetation. Gregarious outside breeding season. Sexes are similar. Adult has blackish plumage, darkest on head and neck. Note white bill and frontal shield on head, and beady red eye. Legs are pale yellowish. In flight, shows white trailing edge on otherwise dark, rounded wings. Juvenile has dark greyish brown upperparts and white on throat and front of neck. Voice Utters a loud kwoot call. Status Common resident, found on range of freshwater wetland habitats; numbers boosted in winter by influx of migrants.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Dipper Cinclus cinclus L 18cm. Dumpy waterside bird that perches on river boulders. Flies low over water. Dives readily in search of invertebrates. Sexes are similar. Adult has dark grey-brown wings, back and tail. Head is reddish brown and throat and breast (bib) are white. Belly grades from reddish chestnut at front to blackish brown at rear. Legs and feet are stout and powerful. Juvenile has greyish upperparts and barred, pale underparts. Voice Utters a shrill striitz call. Status Fairly common but local on fast-flowing streams and rivers.
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  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
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  • Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 40-47cm. Familiar diving duck. Tufted crown useful in identification. Gregarious in winter. In flight, note white wingbar. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has mainly black and white plumage; purplish sheen on head seen in good light. Has yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. In eclipse, white elements of plumage are buffish brown. Adult female has mainly brown plumage, palest on flanks and belly. Has white at base of bill (less than female Scaup), yellow eye and black-tipped blue-grey bill. Juvenile is similar to adult female but with duller colours. Voice Male utters a soft peep. Status Common year-round on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits.. Several thousand pairs breed; winter numbers boosted dramatically by migrants from mainland Europe.
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  • Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca L 51-58cm. Bulky diving duck. Larger than Common Scoter with which it associates. All birds have white inner flight feathers, most obvious in flight. Head markings are useful in identification. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly black plumage, with striking white patch below pale eye; white on closed wings sometimes visible when swimming. Bill is two-toned: yellow and blackish. 1st winter male lacks white under eye. Adult female is mainly dark sooty brown, with pale cheek patch and pale patch at base of bill; bill is dark. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce non-breeding visitor from Scandinavia, present mainly Oct- Mar. Favours coasts with sandy seabeds. Commonest in N.
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