Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoters, Point Reyes (California, USA), 2nd May 2005

Surf Scoters, Seaside (California, USA), 1st May 2005

This species is a rare visitor to the UK but is quite regular in Scotland where it is sometimes possible to see multiple birds in a single flock. Just one here though...

Surf Scoter (with Common Scoter in fourth image), Joppa (Mid Lothian, UK), 19th March 2014

Further south in Norfolk it's much rarer.

Surf Scoter (left, with Velvet Scoter, right), Holkham Bay (Norfolk, UK), 4th November 2014

I found this one quite unexpectedly, sat on the sea with a Velvet Scoter. Here is the description of the circumstances and identification that I submitted to the county records committee: description.

Surf Scoter (with Velvet Scoter in 4th to 7th photos and with Common Scoters in last photo), Sheringham (Norfolk, UK), 17th November 2012