Common scoter Melinitta nigra

All dark sea-duck most often seen at sea as dark blobs bouncing on the water or flying low

Habitat: sea

Winter visitor to the UK; scarce breeder in N. Britain

Male: all dark, black upperparts, neck and head; black and yellow bill; wings dark

Gregarious, often forming large flocks of 10-100; feeds by diving

Eats cockles, mussels and other crustaceans; flies low over surface of water very fast

Nest is a lined hollow near water

1 brood June – July; 6-9 creamy eggs