(aythya marila)

More commonly called simply Scaup in the UK. The Scaup is mostly a winter migrant to the UK, its usual breeding range being in Iceland and upland or tundra areas of Scandinavia and Russia. In winter it is mostly a sea duck being found in large flocks in bays and estuaries. In Scotland an easy place to see a flock of Scaup is on the pool in Auchenharvie golf course between Stevenston and Saltcoats. The flock seems to come onto this fresh water pool to rest and wash at high tide time.

The bird photographed at Hogganfield Loch is unusual being on a inland loch and on its own. You must look carefully to separate it from a female or juvenile Tufted Duck. Some female Tufted Ducks have even more white on the face than the Scaup photographed here - the most reliable identification difference is the smaller black nail on the tip of the bill. Surprisingly another 1st winter female turned up at an adjacent inland loch at the same time.

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