The first and, so far, only record of this species for Ireland was discovered last January at this site (see this post HERE), so it would be a fair assumption that this is a returning individual. Let's hope it stays the winter, as not all birders got to see this major rarity in the weeks following its initial discovery.
Black Scoter, with Common Scoter, Rossbeigh, 10th October 2015 (M. O'Clery).
Close-up of the top photo.
Black Scoter, with Common Scoter, Rossbeigh, 10th October 2015 (M. O'Clery).
Black Scoter, with Common Scoter, Rossbeigh, 10th October 2015 (M. O'Clery).
First-winter male Eider, with Common Scoter, Rossbeigh, 10th October 2015 (M. O'Clery).
There was also an immature/female Surf Scoter in the 500+ inshore scoter present, with another 300–400 scoter at extreme range, a large increase on the number of scoter generally present throughout last winter. Perhaps the mussel beds on which they feed have recovered somewhat from the devastating storms of 2012-2013.
