Birthday Bird ID Scoter?

[dbozkurt]

Hi Folks

Before I ask you what you think this bird is thanks to the web site for my birthday wishes, hey know its automatic but it was my first greeting of the day.

Thought in my lunchbreak would try and find the Northern Diver some told me was in the harbour, after chasing a shag with the sunshining on it I realised it wasn't what I was looking for. Walked around to the cargo pier and there were these two birds, had to crop as didn't get too close (dived for long time). I thought they were Scoter's looked in the Gallery, but the only velvet diver had a yellow beak and a white eye patch. Johns Common Diver didn't have white on it. So I am a little confused, can anyone help me.
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Oh, PS after 5 years together I got sent my first bunch of flowers from 'im indoors in Benbecula and a lovely card with gold finches. I nearly passed out in the Health Board Offices!!!!!

Ta Debs

[GuyF]

Hi,
These are Black Guillemot. A really nice species that I would love to see but they tend to live up north. These are nice pictures, especially because they are in summer plumage.
Well done
Guy

[John]

Originally Posted by GuyF

Hi,
These are Black Guillemot. A really nice species that I would love to see but they tend to live up north. These are nice pictures, especially because they are in summer plumage.
Well done
Guy

Spot on Guy. You don't have to go that far north as they can be found off the coast of Anglesey where they breed.

John

[Tormentil]

Many Happy Returns Debs.

[dbozkurt]

Originally Posted by GuyF

Hi,
These are Black Guillemot. A really nice species that I would love to see but they tend to live up north. These are nice pictures, especially because they are in summer plumage.
Well done
Guy

Thanks all, but why are they in their summer plummage when it only beginning of February? Surely its usually about April or May when birds come into their seasonal plummage. Is it because of the weather of whether the birds are breeding.

Thanks

PS Thanks Tormential for the greeting.....

[PMG]

Belated happy birthday wishes Debs - was it a 'significant one' that you received flowers or did he just decide it was time he sent flowers?!!

[John]

Originally Posted by dbozkurt

Thanks all, but why are they in their summer plummage when it only beginning of February? Surely its usually about April or May when birds come into their seasonal plummage. Is it because of the weather of whether the birds are breeding.

Thanks

PS Thanks Tormential for the greeting.....

It does seem a little early for summer plumage but already I have seen Black-headed Gulls with full hoods on themand Great Crested Grebes displaying. This climate change has a lot to answer for.

John

[James_Owen]

Lovely pictures, really fine. I remember the last time I saw these we watched a pair that had nested in a hole on the seal wall at Oban. So many holidaymakers walking above without any idea.

It is a little surprising to see the summer plumage, but then just today I saw a group Goldeneye very busily displaying to each other, and also Blue Tits are already back in their best colours right now. Birds are pairing up for the Spring to come, and clearly want to look good!

[aeshna5]

Lovely photos of Black Guillemots- often called Tysties in Scotland- quite a few years since I've seen one. Seen a few in Scotland- remember them in Wick Harbour; I've seen the breeding birds John mentions on Anglesey, though there are only a few pairs there + I was surprised to see one at Weymouth some years back- the only one I've seen in winter plumage.

Daylength, rather than temperature, is usually the trigger for moult as this influences the homonal system. Great-crested Grebes often come into breeding plumage early + it's been fun watching them display recently.