Birds for ID

[Arthur Onlum]

Was at the beach the other day, along the North East cost.

Saw these birds floating quite far off shore, I think they Scooters, but I am not sure.

Any ideas?

[Picidae]

They're not Scoters - Scoters have quite chunky bills and sloping foreheads. (Only Surf Scoters show white on upperwing and they have even more chunky bills!) Not divers either going on what can be made out of underwing/upperwing patterns and bill length. They look like Red-Breasted Mergansers to me in various stages of moult/sex/age. Problem is with distance shots, much of the colour definition and plumage detail is lost (especially when birds are on the sea), so the only thing one can go on is shape. These look to have steep foreheads, very flat crowns and long slim slightly upturned bills and wings look nicely rounded.

[RoyW]

These are a flock of Teal. The upper wing pattern of the righthand bird (a drake) can clearly be seen, and there is nothing to suggest that the others are anything different.

Flocks of dabbling ducks, which are usually associated with freshwater, will regularly settle on the sea for short periods (eg. when disturbed from coastal marshes).

[Rye]

I also think Teal.