Red Throated Diver ID Please

[dbozkurt]

Was passing by the end of the Harbour at Stornoway where just a small stream of water remained from the creek that empties into the harbour, it was low tide. This wee diver was enjoying him/herself in the bright (terrible for photos) morning sunshine. The water was so shallow you could see it underwater diving or skimming for its breakfast. I watched it for about 20 minutes, had terrible trouble getting descent pictures as the sun's glare was terrible reflecting both off the birds and the water and my lens.

The only bird I think it could be was a Red Throated Diver, though I thought it would have started going into summer colours as most other birds up here appear to have. The second pictures shows it next to a herring gull for sizing, note the mud flat, it was very close to the bank. The Herring Gulls tried to steal his catch but it was quite brave and saw them off.

What do you all think.






Thanks Debs

(PS keep an eye out for the what are all these types of brown birds coming up )

[Adam Cheeseman]

Hi Debs,

Yes, you're right that is a Red-throated Diver. Black-throats are darker with a (usually) obvious white thigh patch.

cheers,

Adam

[dbozkurt]

Thanks, but can anyone tell me when it will show a red throat?

Other birds seem to be in Summer colours or are Divers slow starters.

Debs