Common Scoter
Melanitta nigra
Overview
Common Scoters pass the Sefton Coast in large numbers — on a good autumn day from Formby Point, you can watch skein after skein of these all-black ducks flying low over the sea. The drake is Britain's only entirely black duck, with a yellow patch on the orange-black bill. They breed on upland Scottish lochs and overwinter offshore in the Irish Sea and elsewhere. Formby Point is a excellent seawatching station for autumn scoter movement.
At a Glance
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Habitat | Open sea · Offshore coastal water |
| Diet | Mussels and other bivalves — dives to seabed |
| UK population | Around 100,000 wintering birds; breeding population small and declining — red-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Large flocks offshore in autumn and winter; sometimes thousands visible from Formby Point |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Offshore from Formby Point and Ainsdale beach. Passes in large flocks during autumn.
Identification
Drake: entirely jet black with yellow knob and patch on bill. Duck: dark brown with pale cheeks contrasting with dark cap. Flies in long, straggling low lines over the sea. Often in large flocks.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Visit Formby Point in October–November for scoter movement. Sit above the beach on the dune and scan low over the sea. Lines of black ducks flying west are almost certainly Common Scoters.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Common Scoters red-listed in the UK?
Common Scoters are red-listed due to the very small and declining UK breeding population — fewer than 100 pairs, all in Scotland and Ireland. Despite good wintering numbers offshore, the breeding population is vulnerable to habitat change on upland lochs. Their dependence on coastal sandbanks for wintering also makes them sensitive to offshore disturbance.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.