Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) (49, 2)
Photo © Rob Stonehouse
Ex BBRC species 31/12/1990
STATUS
Nearctic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Harting (1901) who at one time was the Editor of The Field and The Zoologist, provided a list of records in his Handbook of British Birds. Witherby (1920-24) stated it was most frequent in the Orkneys, while elsewhere, several have been seen including one in Kent, 1914; obtained birds were in the Outer Hebrides (one), Firth of Forth (one/two), Cumberland (one), Lancs. (one), Scilly Isles (two), Cornwall (two), Devon (three) and Dorset (two).
RECORDS
1). Pre 1837 Lothian Firth of Forth, obtained, undated.
(Gould, 1832-37; E. Blyth, Wood's Naturalist 3: 420; Yarrell, 1845; Turnbull, 1863; Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1885; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).
History Gould (1837 (5): unpaged) says: 'We have ourselves received a specimen (a female), killed in the Firth of Forth.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 322, 2nd ed.) says: 'Mr. Gould obtained a specimen that was killed in the Firth of Forth, as noticed in his Birds of Europe (pt. xiv).'
Turnbull (1863, 1st ed.) says 'Mr. Gould received one, killed on the Firth of Forth.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 481, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The earliest mention appears to be by the late Mr. Blyth, who wrote in 1838, in Neville Wood's Naturalist (Vol. III. p. 420), that 'a few seasons ago Mr. Bartlett received a recent Surf Scoter for the purpose of stuffing;' and from that specimen the Author derived the measurements here given and some further particulars.'
Seebohm (1885 (3): 607) says: 'An example of this bird was sent in the flesh to Mr. Bartlett about half a century ago (Blyth, Naturalist, III. p. 420), which may possibly have been shot in this country; but the first reliable record of this bird in our islands appears to be that made by Thompson...'
Accepted nationally as the first for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
Comment Edward Blyth, curator of the Ornithological Society, recorded it in Wood's Naturalist under the heading 'Rare birds killed in the winter of 1837-8.'
2). 1845 Orkney Between St Mary's, Holm and St Margaret's, South Ronaldsay, three, seen, March.
(Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 184) says: 'Mr. Ranken's father saw three on one occasion when crossing from St Mary's to St Margaret's Hope in March 1845; they were too wild to allow him within shot.'
Accepted locally (Groundwater 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
5). 1845 Cornwall Pendennis Castle, picked up dead, winter.
(W. P. Cocks, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 1: 138; W. P. Cocks, Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society Report 25: 76; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2278; Harting, 1880; Yarrell, 1871-85; Penhallurick, 1969).
History W. P. Cocks of Falmouth (1851) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 138, says: 'In the winter, 1845, I found a mutilated specimen on the beach, near the magazine, Pendennis Castle: rare.'
W. P. Cocks (1857) in the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society Report, Vol. XXV. p. 76, says: 'In the winter of 1845, our coast was visited by a severe gale, and thousands of tons weight of Algae, &c., (birds, fishes, Mollusca, Ascedae, &c.), were thrown on the different beaches in the neighbourhood.
Four days after the storm, I visited a beach near the Cove, Powder Magazine, Pendennis Castle, and there I found, embedded in the heterogeneous deposit, the mutilated remains of the O. perspicillata. It must have been dead for some time, for it gave off a powerful noli-me-tangere effuvia, and the skin was too tender for preserving.'
E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2278, says: 'A specimen in a mutilated state said to have been found near Pendennis Castle in 1852.'
Harting, Editor (1880: 151) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'Dr. Bullmore has referred to a mutilated specimen of the Surf Scoter, which was found many years ago on the beach near Pendennis Castle.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Penhallurick (1969: 80) says: '1845, After violent winter gales a decaying specimen was picked up in the cove by the powder magazine at Pendennis Castle (Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society, 1857).'
6). 1847 Shetland Ronas Voe, Mainland, adult male, seen, June.
(R. Dunn, Zoologist 1848: 2067; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Harting, 1901; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Robert Dunn of Weisdale (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. p. 2067, dated 18th February, 1848, says: 'Last summer, in June, as I was collecting through the north part of Shetland, I observed a very rare British visitor, namely, a fine male specimen of the Surf Scoter, in 'Rona's Voe', in company with some Red-breasted Mergansers. I tried to get a shot at it for three days in succession, but was unsuccessful, as it always got on the wing before we could get within gun-shot of it, and the fourth day I never saw it at all.'
Gray (1871: 383) adds: 'Mr. J. H. Dunn.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 481, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who adds: '...nor has the species yet been recorded from that group of islands.'
Accepted locally (Evans & Buckley 1899; Pennington et al. 2004).
7). 1847 Orkney Longhope, Hoy, seen, September.
(Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 184) says: 'Mr. Moodie-Heddle tells us a Surf Scoter was seen in Longhope in September 1847.'
Accepted locally (Groundwater 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
8). 1851 Dorset Weymouth, obtained, winter.
(Mansel-Pleydell, 1873; Yarrell, 1871-85; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 193; Prendergast & Boys, 1983; Green, 2004).
History Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 44) says: 'Mr. Thompson informs me that a specimen had previously been killed at Weymouth in the year 1851.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. William Thompson of Weymouth informed the Author [Yarrell] that a Surf Scoter was obtained near that place, in the winter of 1851.'
Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 193, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.
Accepted locally (Prendergast & Boys 1983; Green 2004).
9). 1852 Lothian Musselburgh Bay, Midlothian, adult male, shot, 2nd April.
(Illustrated London News; J. A. Smith, Annals & Magazine of Natural History 10 (1852): 72-73; W. Martin, Naturalist 3: 83; Turnbull, 1867; Gray, 1871; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935).
History John Alexander Smith (1852) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. X. 2nd series, pp. 72-73, says: 'Through the politeness of Mr. Dickson, of the well-known firm of John Dickson and Co., Gunmakers, Princes Street, I am enabled to show this beautiful specimen of the very rare Great-Billed or Surf Scoter (Oidemia perspicillata, Flem.). It is a fine adult male, and was shot in Musselburgh Bay on Friday last the 2nd of April. The Scoters are true sea ducks, seeking among the waves and surf for their varied molluscous diet.
Three species are described as being found occasionally on our coasts during the winter months the Black, the Velvet, and this, the Surf Scoter; but the last of these is only a very rare visitor. They are dark or black plumaged ducks, the females being brown; and this species is easily distinguished from the others by the rounded patch of white on its forehead, between and in front of its eyes; and the somewhat shield-shaped patch, square above, and pointed posteriorly, on the nape and running down the neck. The rest of the plumage is deep bluish black tinged with brownish on the quills and the wedge-shaped tail. The appearance of the bill is singular: prominent in the middle over the nostrils, which are pervious (and to which point the feathers come down), then sloping with a concave outline to the slightly rounded nail at its point; and it is also very prominent at the lateral parts of its base. Its colour is of a reddish orange, paler at the sides, and becoming yellowish towards the nail; and there is a very strongly defined square-shaped black patch on each of the two lateral protuberances, edged with the reddish orange of the bill, except at its superior and anterior angle, and in front, where it is succeeded by a triangularly-shaped spot of bright bluish white, terminating at the nostril. The under mandible is of a much paler reddish colour. The bill measured on the side is nearly 2¾ inches in length 1½ inches in height, and about the same in breadth across the lateral protuberances at its base. The eyes are placed high on the head, not far indeed from the top, about 1¼ inches above and slightly behind the angle of the mouth. The iris was of a beautiful white, reminding one almost of white china ware. The tarsi are of a reddish orange colour in front and dusky behind, and the toes are also reddish orange with dusky spots at the joints, the intervening membranes being of a dusky black; the claws are small and black. The whole bird is about 21 inches in length; and from the carpal joint to the extremity of the first and second primaries which are the longest, it is 9¾ inches, the wing reaching only to a very little beyond the base of the tail.'
W. Martin of Stockton-on-Tees (1853) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 83, dated 7th December, 1853, says: 'Oliver Colt, Esq., of Rownhams, Hants., whilst shooting on the Frith [sic] of Forth, had the good fortune to bag, with various other wild fowl, a fine adult male specimen of the Surf Scoter, this last spring. It was shot in Musselburgh Bay (Illustrated London News).'
Newman (1866) says: 'Mr. Yarrell mentions, on the authority of Dr. J. A. Smith, that a specimen has been killed in Musselburgh Bay.'
Turnbull (1867: 45, 2nd ed.) says: 'One was shot in Musselburgh Bay in 1852.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 483, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: 'On the south-east coast of Scotland one was killed in Musselburgh Bay, Firth of Forth, in 1852.'
Accepted nationally for Scotland (Rintoul & Baxter 1935) and locally (Kirke Nash 1935).
10). 1853 Dorset Weymouth, immature male, shot, December.
(W. Thompson, Zoologist 1854: 4255; Newman, 1866; Mansel-Pleydell, 1873, Yarrell, 1871-85; Mansel-Pleydell, 1888; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 193; Green, 2004).
History W. Thompson of Weymouth (1854) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XII. p. 4255, dated February, 1854, says: 'In the month of December, 1853, a specimen of this rare scoter was shot in Weymouth Bay, close to the shore, between Weymouth and Purton Coastguard Station. The above specimen is a female; it was very difficult to kill, in consequence of the facility with which it dived. The bird is very nicely preserved by Douglas Legg, of this town, and who has it for sale.'
Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 44) adds: 'One killed, by a man named Gillingham, December, 1853, in the Weymouth-Backwater, and in company with a Goldeneye. It was a young male, and is now in Mr. Thompson's collection.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 481-482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. William Thompson of Weymouth informed the Author [Yarrell] that a young male was shot there in December 1853, and is now in his collection.'
Admitted locally by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 193, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', and (Green 2004).
11). 1856 Cumbria Croften, near Carlisle, adult male, shot, 2nd November, now at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.
(Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Macpherson, 1892; H. A. Macpherson, Zoologist 1896: 294; Hutcheson, 1986).
History Harting (1872: 163) says: 'One, Crofton, Cumberland, Aug. 1856: Eyton Rarer Brit. Birds, p. 81, fig. In the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: 'One killed at Crofton, Cumberland, and figured by Eyton, in his Rarer British Birds (p. 81), is now in the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney.'
Macpherson (1892: 305) says: 'An adult drake was shot by a farm servant on a pond at Crofton, November 2, 1856, a few months before the death of T. C. Heysham. He secured the bird, and probably examined it in the flesh, because he preserved the trachea and sternum, which in the natural course of things, would have been thrown away.
The specimen went to the hammer with the rest of Heysham's birds in May, 1859, and was purchased by the late Mr. Gurney. It is now the property of his son, Mr. J. H. Gurney of Keswick Hall, Norwich. The trachea and sternum were included with the mounted bird as 'Lot 176' of the sale catalogue, but by an oversight the trachea was retained at Carlisle.
Quite recently a clerk in Messrs. Mounsey's office in Carlisle handed to me for examination a small cardboard box which had been found among some papers. It proved to contain the trachea in question, together with a note in Heysham's hand, stating that it was the trachea of the Surf Scoter shot at Crofton in 1856, and perhaps the only trachea of this rare duck then in England.
It is a little surprising that this bird should have been killed at Crofton, because the locality is about seven miles inland in a 'bee-line' from both the estuaries of Esk and Eden and those of Wampool and Weaver. All the other British examples have been shot, or washed up dead, on the sea coast.'
H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1896) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XX. p. 294, says: 'Mr. J. H. Gurney most generously allowed the Crofton-killed specimen of the Surf Scoter to return to the county in which it was shot. (I gave him the only good bird I had myself in exchange, an adult Ivory Gull, which had belonged to Sir W. Jardine).'
Accepted locally (Hutcheson 1986).
12). 1857 Orkney Longhope, Hoy, four, seen, 16th October.
(Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 184) say: '...and his father saw four at the same place [Longhope, Hoy] on October 16th, 1857'.
Accepted locally (Groundwater 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
16). 1860 Devon Torbay, immature, shot, undated.
(Pidsley, 1891; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).
History Pidsley (1891: 108-109) says: 'Mr. F. Pershouse has written to tell me of an immature Surf Scoter, shot in Torbay in 1860. In answer to further enquiry, Mr. Pershouse kindly replies: "The immature specimen of the Surf Scoter was in the collection of the late Mr. J. C. Hele of Newton Abbot. Mr. Hele purchased it from Mr. Burt, then Curator of the Museum (Mr. Burt has been dead several years).
At Mr. Hele's death his collection of Birds was sold by public auction. I quite intended to secure the specimen but, thinking there would be no one at the sale who would know anything about it, I put too low a price and unfortunately missed it, I believe it was taken either to Bristol or London.
I did all I could to find out its destination, but failed to do so. I am quite sure the bird in question is an immature Surf Scoter (Oedemia perspicillata). Mr. Burt told me he had not sent any notice of its capture to any paper. It is the only specimen I have heard of in Devonshire, (in litt. May 30th, 1890).
The remainder of the letter refers to specimens of the Surf Scoter shot at Stromness by Mr. Pershouse's friends, the Rev. A. Walker and Mr. T. M. Pike.'
Accepted locally (Moore 1969; Tyler 2010).
17). c. 1862 Devon Slapton, killed, undated.
(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).
History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 244) say: 'Mr. Henry Nicholls mounted a Surf Scoter in, or about, 1862, which had been shot by Mr. Anning on Slapton Ley.'
Accepted locally (Moore 1969; Tyler 2010).
18). 1865 Isles of Scilly Porth Thomas, St Mary's, adult, picked up dying, 22nd September, photo.
(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1865: 9794; E. H. Rodd, Field 30th Sept., 1865: 250; Newman, 1866; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2277-78; Harting, 1872, 1880; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 304; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 87; Penhallurick, 1969; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 10).
History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9794, dated 25th September, 1865, says: 'A bird of this species, in a very beautiful state of plumage, was captured, a few days since, by a boy at Scilly, in a disabled state, and it has been sent over today, in the flesh, for preservation by Mr. Vingoe, who brought it, very civilly, for my inspection immediately on its arrival.
I had an opportunity, therefore, of examining it carefully before it was skinned, and before the brilliant hues of its curiously constructed bill had apparently in the least faded. The body was much emaciated, and how the poor bird got down to Scilly is a mystery; from the intense black of its plumage, its strongly developed tubercular enlargements on each side of the posterior part of the upper mandibles, the clearly definite division of white between these and the brilliant Seville-orange coloured anterior portion of the upper mandible, ending in a pearl-grey nail, I think that it is a very adult bird; the legs are bright red, with the inter-digital membranes black.'
E. H. Rodd (1865) in The Field of 30th Sept., Vol. XXVI. p. 250, dated 25th September, says: 'A specimen of this rare British duck (Oidemia perspicillata) was captured at Scilly a few days ago by a boy, alive, but in a crippled state, and on its arrival to-day here for preservation I have had an opportunity of examining it in the flesh, and witnessing in its adult state the beautiful hues of its remarkable bill, which appeared little faded from the short interval since its death. The tubercular enlargements on the base of the upper mandible on each side are strongly developed; in front of these is a bar of pearl-white leading to the anterior portion of the bill, which is bright orange; the nail of the bill is ash grey; the legs bright tile red, with the inter-digital membranes quite black.'
E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. pp. 2277-78, says 'A rare bird in England, and only occasionally seen in the north of Scotland. A specimen of this duck in adult plumage was picked up in a dying state on the beach at St Mary's, Scilly, on the 22nd of September; the autumnal moult was completed and the plumage yet black; the white on the top and back of the head pure white; the colour of the anterior portion of the bill Seville-orange-yellow; nail, greyish yellow; legs, tile-red; membranes, lack.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 304, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'An adult male of the Surf Scoter was picked up half-dead near Carn Thomas, St. Mary's, on Sept. 22nd, 1865.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 87, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Accepted locally (Flood, Hudson & Thomas 2007).
19). 1865 Outer Hebrides Holm, near Stornoway, Lewis, shot, winter.
(Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1888; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; N. Elkins, Scottish Birds 3: 362; Cunningham, 1983).
History Gray (1871: 383) says: 'The only specimen I have seen in the West of Scotland is one now in the collection of Sir James Matheson, Baronet, of Lewis; it was shot in the winter of 1865 at Holm, near Stornoway, by Mr. MacGillivray of Stornoway.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 483, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: 'In the Hebrides a Surf Scoter was shot near Stornoway in the winter of 1865, and passed into the collection of the late Sir James Matheson.'
Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1888: 109) quoting the record from Gray, added: 'This bird is now in the collection of Lewis birds at the Museum at Stornoway Castle, and is last noted by Mr. D. Mackenzie in the list sent to me.'
Accepted nationally for Scotland (Baxter & Rintoul 1953) and locally (Cunningham 1983).
20). 1866 Orkney Swanbister, Orphir, adult male, shot, March.
(Gray, 1871; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Gray (1871: 383) says: 'An adult male was shot at Swanbister, parish of Orphir, in Orkney, in March, 1866, as I have been obligingly informed by Mr. J. H. Dunn.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'An adult male was shot at Swanbister, in the parish of Orphir, in Orkney, in March, 1866; one - perhaps the same specimen - was in the collection of the late Joseph H. Dunn.'
Accepted locally (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891; Groundwater 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
21). 1867 Isles of Scilly Skirt Island, Tresco, immature male, shot, late October.
(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1867: 1017; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1868: 1059; Harting, 1872, 1880; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 304; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 87; Penhallurick, 1969; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007).
History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. III. p. 1017, dated 28th October, 1867, says: 'The packet has brought over the above specimen [Surf Scoter] for preservation to Mr. Vingoe. The Surf Scoter shows its character in the form of the bill, which is very decided when compared with others. There is another character, apparently specific, which is well shown in Yarrell's figure, and that is the extension of the frontal feathers half an inch down the centre of the ridge of the upper mandible: the other two species have not this character. I see that the description of the young Surf Scoter is very meagrely given by our authors: this specimen has a very well-defined white spot between the eye and the bill, and a similar one just behind the eye; the upper part of the head is of a very deep brown, almost black by lamp-light.'
Harting, Editor (1880: 151) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'On the 28th October 1867, the steamer brought over from Scilly another specimen of the Surf Scoter, which had been shot at Trescoe, for preservation by Mr. Vingoe - this time an immature specimen. It had a well-defined white spot between the eye and the bill, and a similar one just behind the eye. The upper part of the head was of a very deep brown, almost black by lamp-light.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 304, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'A young male was shot off Skirt Point, Tresco, by F. R. Rodd, in October, 1867.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 87, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Accepted locally (Flood, Hudson & Thomas 2007).
22). 1872 Orkney Longhope, Hoy, obtained, November.
(A. Clark-Kennedy, Field 11th Mar., 1876: 303; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1879: 337; Yarrell, 1871-85; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Alex. Clark-Kennedy (1876) in The Field, of 11th March, Vol. XLVII. p. 303, says: '...it may be interesting to mention that upon two distinct occasions I have met with this species in the Orkney Islands. On one occasion, a bitterly cold and very stormy day in the month of November 1872, while cruising close in shore by Longhope, Hoy Island, on the lookout for duck, we distinctly saw a single Surf Scoter in company with a flock of ten or eleven Velvet Scoters; it was resting on the water, but was far wilder than the velvet ducks, and rose long before they did, and far out of range. Both I and the late Joseph Dunn, who was with me, examined the bird through the glasses, and there could be no doubt of this bird being a bonâ fide Surf Scoter.'
J. E. Harting, Editor (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. p. 337, in an editorial of a notice, says: 'In addition to the specimens referred to by Mr. Pike as recorded in the Handbook of British Birds (twelve in number), and to those now mentioned by him, may be noticed two others recorded by Capt. Clark-Kennedy in the Field of March 11th, 1876, one of which was obtained at Longhope, Hoy Island, in 1872.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Accepted locally (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891; Groundwater 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
23). 1875 Orkney The Sound, near Rysa Little, adult male, shot, February.
(T. M. Pike, Zoologist 1879: 335; Yarrell, 1871-85; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History T. M. Pike of Malvern (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. p. 336-337, says: 'I have knowledge of two others. As to the birds which I can refer as an eye-witness: in February, 1875, while stopping at Stromness for the purpose of collecting, I went down Hoy Sound towards the island of Bara in a yawl, knowing that the sound between it and Rysa Little was frequented from October to March by numbers of the Velvet Scoter.
The first lot we fell in with consisted of four birds, just off the semi-detached N.W. corner of the island known as the Calf of Bara. On getting near I saw a white-headed bird amongst them, which I at first took for a Long-tailed Duck, Harelda glacialis, which also frequents this sound; but soon there was no mistaking the bird's identity - it was an adult male Surf Scoter.
We sailed up within thirty yards before the birds took wing, the stranger seeming particularly tame, and being the last to leave the water, affording as it did an easy cross-shot. It fell to my first barrel, but instantly diving came astern of the yawl, and flew off as though not touched; the second barrel also had no effect in stopping its career. The boatman and I watched its flight, nevertheless, and both saw it fall with a splash about a third of a mile away, but on getting to the spot, which we not long doing, could see no more of it, although the water under the lee of Rysa was as smooth as glass; nor could I hear any more of it during the time I was then in Orkney.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482-483, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Accepted locally (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
24). Pre 1876 Orkney Brig o'Waithe, Loch Stennis, Mainland, obtained, undated.
(A. Clark-Kennedy, Field 11th March 1876: 303; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1879: 337; Yarrell, 1871-85; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891).
History Alex. Clark-Kennedy (1876) in The Field, of 11th March, Vol. XLVII. p. 303, says: '...it may be interesting to mention that upon two distinct occasions I have met with this species in the Orkney Islands....I have the date and further particulars as to the other instance on which I met this scarce duck; but, not having my note books in which I made the entries at hand, I am unable to name the exact dates from memory.
The day on which I saw the second Surf Scoter was also a very stormy day - too rough for boating; and as I was concealed on the open shore, near the Brig of Waithe, at the entrance of Loch Stennis, near Stromness, waiting for wild geese, a bird which I recognised as the Surf Scoter floated in with the tide, but not quite within shot of my hiding place, and though I gave it both barrels of large shot, it seemed none the worse for it. I could see the characteristic white patch upon the back of this bird's neck quite distinctly with the naked eye, and there could be no mistake about its identity. I am quite aware that when a rare bird is stated to have been seen only, and not obtained, many persons at once cast doubt upon the identity of the species.
At the same time I am not aware that many good ornithologists have spent much time in exploring the Orkneys; and the most sceptical will admit that even a scarce species must be met with occasionally.' [We trust that, when an opportunity occurs for referring to the 'note book', our correspondent will kindly furnish us with any further particulars that he may have jotted down. As we have before remarked, the Surf Scoter is sufficiently rare in the British islands to render any notice of its occurrence here of interest to naturalists. - Ed.]
J. E. Harting, Editor (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. p. 337, in a editorial footnote of a notice, says: 'In addition to the specimens referred to by Mr. Pike as recorded in the Handbook of British Birds (twelve in number), and to those now mentioned by him, may be noticed two others recorded by Capt. Clark-Kennedy in The Field of March 11th, 1876...and the other at the Brig of Waithe, at the entrance of Loch Stennis, Stromness.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Accepted locally (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891).
25). 1876 Orkney Rysa Little, adult male, shot, 7th February, now at Horniman Museum, London (NH.83.3/160).
(T. M. Pike, Field 19th Feb., 1876: 212; T. M. Pike, Zoologist 1879: 336-337; Yarrell, 1871-85; A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 22: 105; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984; Hart MS.).
History T. M. Pike (1876) in The Field, of 19th February, Vol. XLVII. p. 212, says: 'On the 7th inst. I saw a bird here, in company with ten Velvet Scoters, that looked very much like them, but differed in having a white patch on the back of the neck. I contrived to get near enough to shoot it; and, on examining its bill, and the white patches on its head and neck, came to the conclusion that it is a Surf Scoter - I believe an adult male. I have sent it for preservation to W. Hart, of Christchurch, the well-known bird preserver.
I should like to have the advantage of an editorial note on the subject of these birds being found in our waters.'
[The characteristic 'white patch on the back of the neck' points conclusively to the Surf Scoter (Oedemia perspicillata, Linn.). It is an extremely rare duck with us, being in fact a straggler from the coasts of North America.
Not more than a dozen instances of its occurrence in the British Islands have been recorded (see Harting's Handbook of British Birds, p. 162) - the first of these in the Firth of Forth in 1852, the last of Scilly in 1867.
It is generally stated, on the authority of Fleming and Selby, that this duck frequents the islands of Orkney and Shetland; but, with the exception of the few instances given in the work above quoted, there is no evidence to support this statement. Selby apparently copied from Fleming, and the latter merely observes (Hist. Brit. An., p. 109), "it is stated by Temminck to have occurred in Orkney". Temminck's words are, "rare et accidentellement dans les Orcades" (Man. d'Orn. p. 854).
Messrs. Baikie and Heddle, in their Hist. Nat. Orcadensis (1848) p. 79) state that: "Surf Scoters appear in small flocks in our sounds during winter. They generally arrive in October, and have been observed till the end of March". These remarks, however, obviously apply to the Velvet Scoter. - Ed.]
T. M. Pike of Malvern (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. pp. 336-337, says: 'A specimen of this handsome North American duck was obtained by me in Orkney, in February, 1876, and I believe no record of the occurrence was made in The Zoologist at the time.'
[It was recorded in The Field, 19th February, 1876. - Ed.]
It is well known that this bird is occasionally to be met with amongst the sounds of this group of islands, but as regards the frequency of the occurrence a good deal of uncertainty seems to exist. For part of this Messrs. Baikie and Heddle have to answer, as in their work they describe them as frequenting the sounds in small flocks during the winter. This statement has been copied by other writers, and so the error has a good chance of being perpetuated. It is, of course, a case of mistaken identity, the Velvet Scoter being the bird met with in the way mentioned.
As regards the Surf duck, there can be no doubt that occasionally - I believe a careful observer would be able to say almost annually - specimens are to be met with, in some place or other, amongst the bays and channels with which this northern group is so indentated.'
[Dr. Rae has so stated in The Field, 18th March, 1876, remarking, "In the latter part of September or during October I have seen one or more in Orkney for the last ten years in the large bay which separates Kirkwall from Firth and Rendall". - Ed.]
Where the Velvet ducks are wont to congregate the Surf Scoter is most likely to be found, since it seems to be fond of company. [This is confirmed by Dr. Rae in the note above referred to. - Ed.]
A female bird might very easily escape notice; but not so the male, the white patches on head and neck render it recognisable at a considerable distance, even when surrounded by the Velvet ducks, so closely resembling it in general appearance.
My own experience of the species is limited to two examples, which, however, considering the limited number of British occurrences referred to in the Handbook to British Birds, is a fair number to have come under the observation of one person, and makes one inclined to think that the list given might be enlarged. In addition to those which I myself saw 'in the flesh', I have knowledge of two others.
As to the birds which I can refer as an eye-witness: in February, 1875, while stopping at Stromness for the purpose of collecting, I went down Hoy Sound towards the island of Bara in a yawl, knowing that the sound between it and Rysa Little was frequented from October to March by numbers of the Velvet Scoter. The first lot we fell in with consisted of four birds, just off the semi-detached N.W. corner of the island known as the Calf of Bara. On getting near I saw a white-headed bird amongst them, which I at first took for a Long-tailed Duck, Harelda glacialis, which also frequents this sound; but soon there was no mistaking the bird's identity - it was an adult male Surf Scoter. We sailed up within thirty yards before the birds took wing, the stranger seeming particularly tame, and being the last to leave the water, affording as it did an easy cross-shot. It fell to my first barrel, but instantly diving came astern of the yawl, and flew off as though not touched; the second barrel also had no effect in stopping its career. The boatman and I watched its flight, nevertheless, and both saw it fall with a splash about a third of a mile away, but on getting to the spot, which we not long doing, could see no more of it, although the water under the lee of Rysa was as smooth as glass; nor could I hear any more of it during the time I was then in Orkney.
In February of the next year, 1876, I was in Stromness again, and the first fine day, - which rarely occurs in an Orkney winter, - the tides suiting, I started again down the Sound of Hoy to see if another North American stranger should chance to be amongst the Velvet ducks. This time I took the precaution of towing down a gunning-punt astern of the yawl, with a hundred-pound gun, feeling considerable distrust of the powers of a small gun to stop such a tough customer as I had met with the previous year. I was again fortunate to find one, within half a mile of the place where the former bird had occurred.
About a dozen Velvet ducks were swimming in a bay formed by the island of Rysa, and on approaching these with the punt I found a Surf Scoter in company with them. On getting up within shot this bird separated itself from the rest, and as it seemed very tame, and the big gun was turned fully on it, affording little chance for escape, even if it suddenly rose, which the Scoter has difficulty in doing. I watched it a bit from the punt before pulling the trigger-line. The flock of Scoters were now some distance away when one of the birds left the others and swam rapidly towards the Surf duck; thinking this might be a female, I waited for the birds to get in line, and fired just before they crossed, When the smoke cleared one bird was floating dead upon the surface, and almost immediately the other one came up from a dive and flew off. I was afraid at first that last year's misfortune had been repeated, but on getting up to the dead bird I had the pleasure of picking up an adult male Surf Scoter, in most perfect plumage. It had luckily escaped much damage from the storm of shot (17 oz.) from the punt-gun, a single pellet having passed through the lower portion of the elongated white patch on the nape of the neck. I felt less surprise at the failure of my small gun on handling the wonderfully thick soft and velvet-like plumage. As for the other two specimens I heard about in Orkney, one of them is in the museum at Stromness, in a most miserable state of preservation, having suffered severely from moth and damp. In fact, had I not been expressly told to look out for a Surf Scoter, I might easily have passed it over without notice; nor is its history very satisfactory, an uncertainty existing as to the place in which the bird was obtained. I should scarcely have made mention of this bird had the late Mr. Joseph Dunn assured me that the birds in the museum were all local specimens, and that he had no doubt of this one having being obtained in the vicinity, but he could say nothing definite about it.
The authenticity of the remaining bird, however, is undoubted, Mr. Dunn having shot it himself very near the same spot in which my two specimens were met with. I questioned him closely concerning the occurrence of these birds amongst the Orkney group, knowing what an experience he had had there. He was always very careful in his ornithological statements, and in this case contented himself with declaring that he had only got that one specimen during his long residence at Stromness; he might have seen others, - in fact, he hinted that he did see them occasionally, but preferred to make positive mention only of the one he had actually obtained; he appeared to think these birds very wild and difficult to get within shot of, my experience in this respect conflicting with his, the two I met with being particularly tame.
In addition I made enquiry of the boatmen who live on the low eastern end of Hoy - known locally as "Walls" - bordering on the sound of Fara, a spot much frequented by the Velvet ducks. These men declared that amongst the black ducks they occasionally see a strange-looking one with a white head, but "not every year".
The year following I was again in Orkney, but saw no Surf duck, the weather being so unfavourable that during six weeks' stay I was only able to get down to Bara once.
Since that time I heard every year from the Stromness boatman, James Sutherland, who was with me on the two occasions, and who accompanies any accidental visitors to that town intent on sporting, but he has never since that time seen a similar bird; his visits, however, would probably be limited to two or three annual trips, - scarcely a fair trial of the question, - and there are several other localities in Orkney quite as likely to reward a search - notably so some of the water to the northward of Kirkwall. On the whole I am inclined to believe that the Surf Scoter not very infrequently (if not every year) pays visits to the Orkneys.'
[In addition to the specimens referred to by Mr. Pike as recorded in the Handbook of British Birds (twelve in number), and to those now mentioned by him, may be noticed two others recorded by Capt. Clark-Kennedy in The Field of March 11th, 1876, one of which was obtained at Longhope, Hoy Island, in 1872, and the other at the Brig of Waithe, at the entrance of Loch Stennis, Stromness. Ed.]
A. P. Morres (1885) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XXII. p. 105, adds: 'Extremely rare. In fact only to be found amongst us in the Orkney and Shetland Islands. It is at once to be distinguished from the two last species by the white markings about the forehead, and back of head. I hear of no local specimen at all.
But Hart has a fine male bird, which was killed by Mr. T. M. Pike, in the Orkneys, on February 7th, 1876.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482-483, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Accepted locally (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
Edward Hart writing in April 1927 states that this cased adult male was shot at Stromness, Orkney by T. M. Pike near the Old Man of Hoy on 7th February 1876 and was mounted by me.
26). 1880 Orkney Rysa Little, adult male, shot, 23rd October.
(Pratt & Sons, Field 30th Oct., 1880: 658; T. M. Pike, Field 6th Nov., 1880: 703; Pratt & Sons, Field 11th Dec., 1880: 879; H. Langton, Zoologist 1881: 59-60; Yarrell, 1871-85; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Pratt & Sons of Brighton (1880) in The Field of 30th Oct., Vol. LVI. p. 658, say: '...we have just received a male Surf Scoter in prefect plumage, killed in the north of Scotland on Oct. 22, all of which are in our hands for preservation.'
T. M. Pike of Cluny Hill, Forres (1880) in The Field of 6th Nov., Vol. LVI. p. 703, says: 'In your edition of Oct. 30 under the heading of 'Spoonbills in Sussex' mention is made of the occurrence, within the limits of our seas, of a much rare bird, viz., 'a male Surf Scoter in perfect plumage in the North of Scotland'. From the subordinate position this notice obtains in the paragraph, it is likely enough to escape the general notice which the occurrence of this North American bird in our waters demands.
I hope Messrs. Pratt and Sons will favour us with a few more particulars, especially as to the locality in which this illustrious stranger was obtained.'
Pratt & Sons (1880) in The Field of 11th Dec., Vol. LVI. p. 879, say: 'In answer to your correspondent who asked a few weeks since for more particulars respecting the Surf Scoter, the capture of which was briefly noticed in The Field, we now send the following details: It is a male in perfect plumage, being deep glossy black, with the white markings very pure and well defined at the edges, the one at the back of the neck three inches in length.
A few miles S.E. of Stromness there is a shallow sandy bay, which is a favourite resort of the common wild duck, owing to the fresh water which there runs into the sea. Opposite to this, at a short distance from the shore, lies the island of Rissay [sic], and further to the south the island of Fara. It was within a short distance of the rocks which surround this cove that the gentleman who was fortunate enough to obtain this bird first saw it on Oct. 22. It was extremely shy, and would not allow a nearer approach than two hundred yards, when it rose and flew completely out of sight.
On the following day, however - wind and tide being favourable - search was again made among the flocks of Velvet Ducks which frequent the sounds about these islands, and the bird was soon noticed within half a mile from the spot where it was seen on the previous day, this time in company with three Velvet Ducks. Had it not been for the tameness of its companions, there is no doubt the bird would have again escaped, as it frequently turned its head windward, and seemed to wish to fly. When approached within about eighty yards the bird took wing, and ¼lb. of shot from a heavy shoulder gun failed to stop it; after which it settled again about two gun-shots off, and appeared to be hit, as it did not then dive; but, after a long chase and several long shots, was at last obtained. I believe one was shot near the same spot in Jan. or Feb., 1876, and another seen a short time previously, on both of which occasions they were in company with Velvet Scoters. As the specimen will be in our keeping for some time, we shall have pleasure in showing it to any who may be interested.'
Herbert Langton of Brighton (1881) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. pp. 59-60, says: 'A Surf Scoter was shot at Stromness on 23rd October, and as I had the opportunity of examining the body of the bird I should like to make a few remarks on the differences between the trachea of this species and that of the Velvet Scoter, for all the books to which I have access give either no description, or else a very imperfect one. I know it is dangerous to draw inferences from a single specimen, but as the Surf Scoter is so rare a bird in this country it is unlikely that I shall have another opportunity of examining its trachea.
Yarrell, in the third edition of his British Birds, says: "According to the description given, the trachea of the Surf Scoter resembles that of the Velvet Scoter"....Messrs. Pratt & Son have set up the bird in their usual correct style.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 483, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: 'The Rev. S. A. Walker informs the Editor that on the 23rd October, 1880, he obtained an adult male off the above-mentioned Rysa Little, the trachea of which was described by Mr. Herbert Langton (Zool., 1881, p. 59).'
Accepted locally (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
Comment There followed a full description with measurements of the trachea which has been omitted here.
27). 1880 Dorset Weymouth Bay, female, shot, 29th October.
(W. R. Thompson, British Birds 16: 184-185; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 193; Morrison, 1997; Green, 2004).
History W. R. Thompson (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. pp. 184-185, says: 'In the middle of the last century my grandfather, William Thompson of Lytchet near Poole and afterwards of Weymouth, a keen naturalist and careful observer, compiled a 'Fauna of Dorsetshire'. This was never published because, unfortunately, no one could read his writing, and the manuscript has since been dissipated, some of his observations being incorporated in Pleydell's Birds of Dorset.
Recently, however, whilst overhauling some of his papers I came across several natural history notes which do not appear to have been previously published, and from those dealing with birds I have extracted most of the following information, the remainder being made up of extracts from the 'Shooting Diaries' kept by my father, James Yarrell Thompson, and by my uncle, Stanley Thompson, together with observations made at various times by my brother, Major R. N. Thompson, and myself.
Where I have made use of other sources of information, the fact has been acknowledged in the text....The following is from one of my grandfather's notes: "Surf Scoter (Oidemia perspicillata). - My uncle shot a female in Weymouth Bay on October 29th, 1880". I do not think there can be very much doubt about the identification of this bird.
The note occurs in my uncle's copy of Jenyns, where he always kept them, and against the paragraph describing the Surf Scoter.
He was specially familiar with the Ducks, as he had a sailing yacht from which he was constantly shooting. Moreover, he had in his possession at the time Gould's Birds of Great Britain.'
Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 193, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', and accepted later (Morrison 1997; Green 2004).
28). 1882 Lancashire & North Merseyside Ribble Estuary, Lytham St Annes, immature male, shot, 9th December, now at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.
(R. H. Thompson, Zoologist 1884: 29; Yarrell, 1871-85; Macpherson, 1892; Mitchell, 1892; H. A. Macpherson, Zoologist 1896: 294; Oakes, 1953; White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008).
History Richard H. Thompson of Lytham (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 29, says: 'When sailing in the estuary of the River Ribble, about 2 p.m. on the 9th December, 1882, I shot a fine female Surf Scoter, Oedemia perspicillata. It was swimming about 500 yards from the shore opposite Lytham. The bird was quite alone, and allowed my boat to approach within about fifty yards, when I fired and killed it. I find only twelve instances of its occurrence in British waters mentioned in Harting's Handbook of British Birds (p. 162).
I may add that the bird has been seen and identified by my friend Mr. A. G. More, of the Science and Art Museum, Dublin, so that no doubt remains as to the correctness of the name.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Mitchell (1892: 179) says: 'Mr. Richard H. Thompson, of Lytham, writes me under date December 16, 1883: 'In December last I shot a very good specimen of the female Surf Scoter about five hundred yards from the shore opposite this place. Mr. A. G. More pronounced the bird to be of this species.'
Howard Saunders in revising the above copy adds: 'The Rev. H. A. Macpherson informs me that the above specimen is really a young male.'
Macpherson (1892: 305) says 'Mr. Heywood Thompson recently showed me a specimen of the Surf Scoter in the plumage of the young male, which he shot on the N.W. coast of England, although south of our limits, i.e. on the Ribble, opposite Lytham, December 9, 1882. It was recorded as a female bird (Zool., 1884, p. 29), but it was not sexed. I have therefore no hesitation in pronouncing it to be in male dress.
This bird is deep brown in colour, with a slight whitish mark before the eye, a more decided whitish mark behind the eye, and a long white patch on the hind-neck, as extensive as in an old male, although not of course nearly so pure in tint.'
H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1896) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XX, p. 294, says: 'Mr. Heywood Thompson has lent his immature male specimen of the Surf Scoter, which he shot on the Ribble [to the Tullie House Museum, Carlisle].'
Accepted locally (Oakes 1953; White, McCarthy & Jones 2008).
29). 1884 Orkney Rysa Little, male, seen, 20th November.
(Yarrell, 1871-85; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 483, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'On the 20th of November, 1884, Mr. [S. A.] Walker saw, but did not obtain, another male of this species, swimming in the same waters [off Rysa Little] in company with Velvet Scoters; this bird was very tame, but, owing to the wildness of its companions, it could not be approached, although generally the last to leave the water and the first to drop.'
Accepted locally (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).
30). 1891 Devon Kingsbridge Estuary, immature male, shot, 20th October.
(E. A. S. Elliot, Field 31st Oct., 1891: 655; E. A. Elliott, Zoologist 1892: 34-35; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).
History Edmund A. S. Elliot of Kingsbridge, Devon (1891) in The Field of 31st October, Vol. LXXVIII. p. 655, says: 'I have to record another storm-driven bird from North American shores, namely, a young male Surf Scoter (Oedemia perspicillata). It was shot on the Kingsbridge Estuary on 20th October 1891 and brought to me the same evening. In contrast to the Common Scoter (Oedemia nigra) one is struck by the massive build of head, the high arched and rather narrow bill; moreover, the large white patches on each side the eyes arrest attention, whilst the absence of white on the wing marks it sufficiently from the Velvet Scoter (Oedemia fusca). I found it very thin, but the stomach contained a quantity of marine grass and some small shells and gravel. So far as I know, this is the only specimen recorded from this district.'
E. A. S. Elliot (1892) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVI. pp. 34-35, says: 'On the following day [20th October] a Scoter was brought me, which had been shot on the [Kingsbridge] estuary. I casually looked at the bird, and thought it a Common Scoter, and should have sent it away but for the answer of the boy, who said, "Father told me to fling it into the tide if you didn't want it". That being the case I retained it, and, on a more careful examination, was struck by the size of its head, the high arching of the bill, as well as the feathered culmen, and the white spots about the head, while the absence of white on the wing showed that it was not a Velvet Scoter; it proves to be a young male Surf Scoter, Oedemia perspicillata, and the entire absence of fat from the body leads me to suppose it had recently been driven on our coast.
The stomach contained marine grass, small shells, and pebbles. Dr. Ellliott-Coues, in his Key to North American Birds, gives a very good figure of the head of a young male of this species, which is very different in marking to the adult male or female.'
D'Urban & Mathew (1892: lviii, 1st ed.) say: 'Edmund A. S. Elliott of Kingsbridge, has a Surf Scoter from the Kingsbridge area in his collection.'
Further, p. 244, they add: 'Mr. Edmund A. S. Elliot had the good fortune to obtain an immature male which was shot near Kingsbridge by Mr. Tom Foale on 20th October, 1891. It was very thin, the stomach containing grasswrack (Zostera marina) and some small shells determined to belong to British species (E.A.S.E., in litt.).'
Accepted locally (Moore 1969; Tyler 2010).
31). 1899 Kent Admiralty Pier, Dover, adult male, killed, winter.
(Harrison, 1953; J. Braggs, Kent Bird Report 1999: 38).
History Harrison (1953 (1): 172) says: 'Mr. Guy Mannering told me that he saw in the flesh an adult male that had been killed in the winter of 1899 close to Dover Pier.'
It is still acceptable (Kent Ornithological Society).
32). Pre 1904 Warwickshire Near Stratford-on-Avon, adult male, shot, undated.
(Tomes, 1904; Norris, 1947; Harrison, et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).
History Tomes (1904 (1): 202) in the Victoria County History of Warwickshire, says: 'A specimen of this rare bird which was shot on the Avon a few miles down stream from Stratford was brought to H. Coombs of that town some years since for preservation, where it was seen and secured by the present writer. It is an adult male in full black plumage with the characteristic white markings on the neck.'
Norris (1947: 52) says: 'Tomes records a single bird which was shot some years before 1904, a few miles below Stratford-on-Avon. This bird was in Tomes' collection and was an adult male.'
Locally, Harrison et al. (1982) say: 'It was not mentioned by Witherby et al. (1940-52)', however, it is now accepted as their first record (Harrison & Harrison 2005: 153).
Comment Inland records are very rare.
33). 1905 Orkney Stromness Harbour, Mainland, adult male, seen, 14th to 21st December.
(H. W. Robinson, Field 17th Feb., 1906: 266; H. W. Robinson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1906: 117; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 87; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History H. W. Robinson of Lansdowne House, Lancaster (1906) in The Field of 17th Feb., Vol. CVII. p. 266, and in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 117, says: 'During the week between 14th and 21st December last an adult male of the Surf Scoter (Oedemia perspicillata) was observed inside Stromness Harbour, Orkney, but escaped being shot, although many envious eyes were cast upon it.
Young birds of this species are of a commoner occurrence in Orkney than most people think, and hardly a winter passes without one of more of these young birds being seen among the Velvet Scoters when they first arrive from their northern nesting haunts, but are almost if not quite unapproachable. The adult bird, however, is very much rarer, and I think only half a dozen are on record as having been actually shot in Orkney.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 87, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and nationally for Scotland (Baxter & Rintoul 1953).
34). 1906 Cornwall River Helford, adult male, shot, 16th December.
(J. Clark, Zoologist 1907: 285; J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 17: 132; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 87; Penhallurick, 1969).
History James Clark (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 285, says: 'Two specimens of the scarce winter casual, the Velvet Scoter, were killed on the Helford River on 16th December, 1906, along with an adult male of that rare American vagrant, the Surf Scoter.'
J. Clark (1907) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XVII. p. 132, under 'American Birds in Cornwall', says: 'An adult male, shot on the Helford River, December 16th, 1906, along with two Velvet Scoters, and now in the writer's collection.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 87, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Penhallurick 1969).
35). 1914 Kent Romney Marsh, Lydd, seen, 14th January.
(H. G. Alexander, British Birds 8: 241; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 200; Harrison, 1953).
History H. G. Alexander (1915) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 241, says: 'On January 12th, 1914, I obtained an excellent view of a Surf Scoter (Oidemia perspicillata) on a pool near the sea not far from Lydd, in Romney Marsh. During the previous days a number of Scoters of both the commoner species (O. nigra and O. fusca) had come ashore, hardly able to fly, with their feathers full of oil and tar. On every pool near the sea, and in various parts of the sand and shingle, stranded Scoters were at the mercy of the local gunners, and I saw numbers that had been shot. The Surf Scoter was beyond the region of the shooting, and was in company with Common and Velvet. I first saw it sitting on a bank with its head tucked away under its scapulars, the white patch on the back of the neck showing at some distance. It did not move till several birds on the water shuffled away, and I got within fifty yards before it walked down into the pool and scuttled across the water.
Consequently I could see all the markings near the beak very distinctly, and its red legs were remarkably conspicuous as it splashed along the water. The oval patch of white on the back of the neck gave the bird a very absurd appearance, or so it seemed to me.'
Accepted locally (Kent Ornithological Society).
36). 1924 Devon Off Langstone Rock, Dawlish, adult female and immature male, seen, 6th March.
(W. Walmesley White, British Birds 17: 311-312; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).
History W. Walmesley White (1924) in British Birds, Vol. XVII. pp. 311-312, says: 'On March 6th, 1924, a pair of Surf Scoters (Oidemia perspicillata) were seen near Dawlish on the south Devon coast by a party of four, three of whom, Mr. E. S. Allen, Col. J. T. W. Fiennes, and myself, were equipped with powerful telescopes as well as binoculars. We watched these birds carefully at a distance of 200-250 yards for nearly an hour.
One of the pair was evidently a young drake as it showed brownish white on lower breast and belly, and had little, if any, white between beak and crown, though otherwise its appearance was that of an old male, the white nape, yellow-orange bill, and very black plumage being clearly defined. The other bird was an adult duck, brown all over except for a certain, though small, amount of white on the nape, and an irregular whitish patch on side of head.
These Surf Scoters were near, though not consorting with, a large party of Mallard and Wigeon, and our attention was first drawn to them by noticing the curious line of the head and bill, so like that of the Common Eider, and so different from that of the Common and Velvet Scoter. This seems to be the fourth record of the Surf-Scoter off Devon coasts.'
Accepted locally (Moore 1969; Tyler 2010).
38). 1925 Norfolk Off Scolt Head, three, males, seen, 2nd October.
(E. L. Turner, British Birds 19: 234; B. B. Riviere, British Birds 19: 243; Turner, 1928; Seago, 1977; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).
History E. L. Turner (1926) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. p. 234, says: 'On October 2nd, 1925, wind E. - S.S.W., I saw seven Surf Scoters (Oidemia perspicillata) in a rather choppy sea off Scolt Head. The birds were fairly close inshore, so that the white patch on the nape was distinctly visible on three of them. This is the first record for East Anglia.'
B. B. Riviere (1926) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. p. 243, under 'Norfolk Bird Report, 1925', says 'Miss Turner has already reported (antea, p. 234) that she was able to identify a flock of seven Surf Scoters which were swimming in the sea off Scolt Head on October 2nd. This record is, I think, a very interesting one, and it is the first time that this rare vagrant has been observed off the Norfolk coast.'
Turner (1928: 76) says: 'So it is a leisurely walk, and when you have carefully picked your way across the Overy Estuary, you find a sheltered corner in the sand-hills and devour a frugal and well-earned lunch. After that there is the return journey along the shore while the incoming tide creeps up, and the westering sun gilds the sea and sands. I was tired that October afternoon, and when my companion called my attention to a little party of birds inshore, I murmured, "Only scoters; tired of scoters".
However duty compelled me to turn my glasses on them and I suddenly saw that these seven birds had white patches on the nape of the neck. They were Surf Scoters. This was the first record of this species for East Anglia. That kind of thrill is wonderfully cheering and makes one forget about fatigue.'
Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling (1999: 187) say: 'Emma Turner saw three drakes and also another four scoters in the same flock were claimed as them. There was no description and the identity of the four is not proven.'
41). 1926 Kent Off Dungeness, seen, 23rd April.
(Harrison, 1953).
History Harrison (1953 (1): 172) says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst writes me that the late J. R. Tart saw one in company with Velvet Scoters on the sea off Dungeness on 23rd April, 1926.'
Accepted locally (Kent Ornithological Society).
42). 1927 Angus & Dundee Montrose Basin, Forfarshire, male, obtained, 1st March, now at Montrose Museum.
(Scone, British Birds 21: 262; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 48: 108; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History Scone (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 262, says: 'On March 1st, 1927, a male Surf-Scoter (Oidemia perspicillata) was obtained in Montrose Basin, and is now in Montrose Museum. As far as I am aware, this is the first record for Forfarshire, and for the whole faunal area of 'Tay'.
E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVIII. p. 108, in the annual report for 1927, say: 'A Surf Scoter was caught at Montrose on 1st March.'
Accepted nationally for Scotland (Baxter & Rintoul 1953).
43). 1927 Norfolk Off Hemsby, three, seen, 16th November.
(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 21: 249; Seago, 1977; Allard, 1990; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).
History B. B. Riviere (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 249, under 'Norfolk Bird Report, 1927', says: 'Surf Scoter (Oidemia perspicillata). - Miss J. Ferrier informs me that on November 16th, amongst Common Scoters close in-shore off Hemsby beach, she detected three drakes with conspicuous white patches on the nape of the neck, which she considers to have been Surf Scoters. This rare duck has never been obtained in Norfolk, and the only other record is of a flock of seven which were seen by Miss Turner off Scolt Head on October 2nd, 1925 (Brit. Birds XIX. p. 234).'
Accepted locally (Seago 1977; Allard 1990; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999).
46). 1928 Fife Edenmouth, found dead, early January.
(D. W. Thompson, Scottish Naturalist 48: 25; Eds., British Birds 22: 68; Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 49: 112; M. F. M. Meiklejohn, Scottish Naturalist 67: 110-111; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; J. Grierson, Scottish Birds 2: 135).
History D'Arcy W. Thompson (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVIII. p. 25, says: 'Early in January many birds were driven into the bay by the stormy weather. Amongst them were three Little Auks of which I saw one, got another, and heard of the third. Among the many unfortunate birds drowned in the fixed cod-nets, was a Surf Scoter which I found myself; but it was in an old net that had been washed about for days in the storm, and was unfit for preservation.'
In an Editorial (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. p. 68, they say: 'Professor D'Arcy W. Thomson states (Scot. Nat. 1928, p. 25) that in St. Andrew's Bay early in January, 1928, he found a specimen of Oidemia perspicillata drowned in a fixed cod-net. The bird had been washed about for days in a storm and was unfit for preservation. The sex is not stated.'
Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1929) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIX. p. 112, in the annual report for 1928.
47). 1929 Devon Teignmouth, seen, 8th January.
(W. Walmesley White, F. C. Butters & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird Watching Preservation Society Report 1931: 175; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).
History W. Walmesley White, F. C. Butters & H. G. Hurrell, (1931) in the Devon Bird Watching Preservation Society Report, Vol. 3. p. 175, says:'Teignmouth. A female Jan. 8th 1929. From the evidence there seems no doubt of this identification. W. R. Taylor, president of the Clifton College, N. H. Society, per W.W.W.'
Moore (1969: 71) says: 'A duck considered to be of this species was seen off Teignmouth on 8th January 1929.'
Accepted locally (Tyler (2010) even after Moore's comment.
48). 1945 Northumberland Cheswick, male, seen, 8th and 11th December.
(G. W. Temperley, Naturalist 71: 124; F. Brady, British Birds 39: 183-184; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).
History G. W. Temperley (1946) in The Naturalist, Vol. LXXI. p. 124, under 'Northumberland Annual Report for 1945', says: 'On December 8th and 11th, a fine drake was seen with a large flock of Common Scoters and two or three Velvet Scoters close in-shore off Cheswick Rocks, south of Berwick. It was so well within range that it was easy to note every distinguishing feature, including the white patch on the nape (F.B.). This is the first record for Northumberland for this rare vagrant.'
F. Brady (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. pp. 183-184, says: 'On December 8th, 1945, I had an unmistakable view of a male Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata on the Northumberland coast, at Cheswick. Quite a large flock of Common Scoters Melanitta n. nigra had been resident here, just offshore, since early October. At high tide they often came into a small cove overlooked by a ridge of rocks from which they could be closely observed. On the date in question I found two immature Velvet Scoters Melanitta f. fusca with the others, and then another bird surfaced about 25 yards away, with its back to me. It was jet black with a large squarish white patch on the back of the neck. When it turned round another white patch on the crown and its heavy orange and white bill at once proclaimed its identity. After a few minutes it flew out to sea, passing over a more distant party of scoters, from which two other birds immediately rose and joined it. These seemed to be mainly dark brown in colour and, being much bulkier than the common species, may have been females. On December 11th I again saw the drake about 50 yards offshore, but there was no sign of it on the 15th, when Mr. H. Tully and I searched the coast for it.'
Accepted locally (Galloway & Meek 1978) and (Kerr 2001) who erroneously states the year as 1946.
49). 1946 Fife Largo Bay, male, seen, 17th January.
(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Smout, 1986).
History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (2): 441) say: 'E. V. Baxter had a good view of a male Surf Scoter in Largo Bay on 17th January 1946.'
Accepted locally (Smout 1986).
1950-57 RECORDS
50). 1955 Fife Eden Estuary, St Andrews, first-summer male, 30th May.
(T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 5: 53; M. F. M. Meiklejohn, Scottish Naturalist 67: 110-111; J. Grierson, Scottish Birds 2: 135; Smout, 1986).
History T. Yeoman & D. G. Andrew (1955) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. V. p. 53, say: 'We have just heard from Professor M. F. M. Meiklejohn that on 30th May he saw what he believed to be a Surf Scoter off the West Sands at St Andrews. The bird appeared to be in the plumage of a first summer drake and it was keeping company with some Eiders. Prof. Meiklejohn is anxious that others should look for the bird and try to obtain more detailed notes on its appearance than he was able to do at the time. This is an American species that has rarely been recorded in this country.'
M. F. M. Meiklejohn (1955) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVII. pp. 110-111, says: 'On 30th May 1955 on the estuary of the River Eden at St. Andrews, at a point to the west of the West Sands where at high tide there is a large sheet of open water, I saw at about 11.15 hours B.S.T., a dark-coloured duck swimming close to a group of Eiders (Somateria mollissima). The bird was about 150 or 200 yards away, the light was excellent and I was using 12 x 50 binoculars. Its most conspicuous feature was a patch of white on the back of the head, wider at the top than at the bottom and roughly pear-shaped, and, immediately thinking that I might be looking at a Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), I noted the following details.
Size: smaller than Eider, approximately that of Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca). Tail pointed. Body dark blackish-brown. Wings black. Head black with white patch behind; no white patch above bill. The colour of the bill appeared orange, but its shape could not at first be clearly seen since the bird was constantly preening. When it stood up in the water and flapped its wings, these were seen to have no white in them, and the belly was seen to be a dirty white, demarcated by a straight line from the lower breast. Unfortunately the bird was soon disturbed by a sailing boat and flew out to sea, when, however, the extraordinary shape and size of the bill were clearly seen; the line of the bill was continuous with that of the head, as in the Eider, but its appearance was not so elongated. The large size of head and bill combined gave the bird an extraordinarily top-heavy appearance, unlike that of any duck I have ever seen. Two features - the absence of a white patch above the bill and the white of the belly - seemed to me at that time to be inconsistent with the plumage of the Surf Scoter, but I since discover that they answer to published descriptions of the first-summer male. It is possible that the bird had been in European waters since the previous autumn.'
51). 1956 Devon Lundy, immature female, 16th November.
(B. Whitaker, Lundy Field Society Report 1956: 5; S. G. Madge, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1956: 13; Moore, 1969; Davis & Jones, 2007).
History B. Whitaker (1956) in the Lundy Field Society Report, p. 5, say: 'One female or immature in the Landing Bay on November 16th. The first record for Lundy.' While, S. G. Madge (1956) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIX. p. 13, says: 'Lundy, Nov. 16, one immature female (Lundy Field Society Report 1956).'
Moore (1969) says: 'A female or immature in the Landing Bay on 16th November 1956.'
Accepted locally (Davis & Jones 2007).
NOT PROVEN
0). c. 1835 County unknown No locality, obtained, undated.
(E. Blyth, Wood’s Naturalist 3: 420; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[Seebohm, 1885].
History Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 482, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The earliest mention appears to be by the late Mr. Blyth, who wrote in 1838, in Neville Wood's Naturalist (Vol. III. p. 420), that 'a few seasons ago Mr. Bartlett received a recent Surf Scoter for the purpose of stuffing'; and from that specimen the Author derived the measurements here given and some further particulars.'
Seebohm (1885 (3): 607) says: 'An example of this bird was sent in the flesh to Mr. Bartlett about half a century ago (Blyth, Naturalist, III. p. 420), which may possibly have been shot in this country; but the first reliable record of this bird in our islands appears to be that made by Thompson...'
Comment Edward Blyth, curator of the Ornithological Society, recorded it in Wood's Naturalist under the heading 'Rare birds killed in the winter of 1837-8.'
0). Pre 1855 Yorkshire Filey, shot, undated.
(W. J. Clarke, Naturalist 1915: 339; Eds., British Birds 9: 215).
[A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 104: 162-163].
History W. J. Clarke (1915) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 339, says: 'While hunting through some old records of the Scarborough Philosophical and Archaeological Society, I came across the minutes of a meeting held in the Museum on November 16th, 1855, in which it is recorded that a Surf Scoter, which had been shot at Filey, was exhibited by Mr. Roberts.
The late Alfred Roberts, who was at that time the Curator of the Scarborough Museum, was well-known in his day as a careful and painstaking observer, and a reliable ornithologist, and records from his lists of birds of the Scarborough district have frequently been quoted in various ornithological works, including The Handbook of Yorkshire Vertebrates, 1881; and The Birds of Yorkshire, 1907.
None of these works make any mention of this bird, nor can I find any printed record which appears to refer to it until I turn to Theakston's Scarborough Guide, published in 1865. This contains lists of the flora and fauna of the district, and therein I find the following note: "Anas perspicillata, the Surf Scoter. A rare bird very seldom seen on the Yorkshire coast. One preserved by Mr. Roberts". It seems probable that this record refers to the specimen exhibited at the Scarborough Museum in 1855. This appears to have been the only Yorkshire occurrence of this species.'
In an Editorial (1916) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 215, under an 'Overlooked record of Surf Scoter in Yorkshire', they say: 'Mr. W. J. Clarke writes (Nat., 1915, p. 339); "While hunting through some old records of the Scarborough Philosophical and Archaeological Society, I came across the minutes of a meeting held in the Museum on November 16th, 1855, in which it is recorded that a Surf Scoter, which had been shot at Filey, was exhibited by Mr. Roberts".
Mr. Clarke states that the late Alfred Roberts was at that time Curator of the Scarborough Museum and was well known as a careful and painstaking observer and reliable ornithologist, but we may add that he made curious mistakes at times, e.g. in the Zool. for 1885 he records the 'American Scaup (Fuligula maritoides)' [sic] from Scarborough, but according to the authors of the Birds of Yorkshire (II. p. 465) the bird proved on examination by John Hancock to be a female Pochard.
It is also significant that a supposed Surf Scoter recorded as shot at Gristhorpe, near Scarborough, on November 25, 1860 (Zool., 1860, p. 7274, and 1861, p. 7385), turned out to be a Velvet Scoter (Birds of Yorkshire, II. p. 482).'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1855 North-east Scotland No locality, Aberdeenshire, November.
(Harting, 1872; Harting, 1901).
[Dresser, 1871-1881; J. J. Dalgleish, Bulletin of Nuttall Ornithological Club 5: 215].
History Harting (1872: 162) and (1901: 463) says: 'One, Aberdeen coast, Nov. 1855. Sir W. Jardine, MS. In the collection of Mr. Hargitt, Edinburgh.'
However, Dresser (1871-81 (6): 670) says: 'Mr. J. E. Harting says that Mr. E. Hargitt possesses a specimen killed on the Aberdeen coast in November 1855; but in answer to a letter inquiring about this specimen the latter gentleman writes to me saying that he purchased the specimen in question from Mr. Small, naturalist, of Edinburgh, who received it from a man in the north of Scotland, and understood it to be British-killed; but on inquiry it was elicited that this person did not shoot it, but "purchased it with a lot of other birds". Altogether the evidence respecting this specimen is so incomplete that it cannot well be included as a British-killed specimen.'
J. J. Dalgleish (1880) in the Bulletin of Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol. V. p. 215, says: 'Dresser, in his B. of E., pt. 61-62, considers the evidence in this case insufficient.'
0). 1860 Yorkshire Gristhorpe, near Scarborough, shot, 25th October.
(A. S. Bell, Zoologist 1860: 7274; A. S. Bell, Zoologist 1861: 7385; Newman, 1866).
[Harting, 1872].
History Alwin S. Bell of Scarborough (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. p. 7274, dated 2nd November, 1860, says: 'I have great pleasure in informing you that a fine mature specimen of that extremely rare duck, the Surf Scoter, was shot by myself, on Monday, 25th of October, on the rocks at Gristhorp, near Scarborough: it was swimming with another duck of its own size and colour, and, in all probability, of the same species.'
A. S. Bell (1861) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIX. p. 7385, says: 'On Thursday, the 25th of November, I shot a fine mature specimen of that extremely rare species, the Surf Scoter, on the rocks at Gristhorp, near Scarborough; it was swimming with in company with another duck of its own size and colour, and which doubtless was the same species. Mr. Alfred Roberts, our talented taxidermist, has preserved it for me in a very life-like manner.'
Harting (1872: 163) says: '...it proved to be a mistake'.
Comment Misidentified - was a Velvet Scoter. See Pre 1855 Yorkshire record. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1875 Gloucestershire Tewkesbury, killed, undated.
(Mellersh, 1902).
[Swaine, 1982].
History Mellersh (1902) says: 'One killed at Tewkesbury about 1875. Scott collection at Tewkesbury.'
Not accepted locally (Swaine 1982).
0). 1875-80 Essex/Kent Mouth of the Thames, two, seen, winter.
(Ticehurst, 1909; Glegg, 1929; Harrison, 1953).
[Wood, 2007].
History Ticehurst (1909) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'During one of the winters between 1875 and 1880 Mr. Farn saw two Surf Scoters at the mouth of the Thames, but owing to the state of the tide he was unable to sail within shot of them. He was, however, near enough to make out their distinguishing features and point these out to his companions. There can hardly be any doubt therefore that his identification was correct, but since the birds were not obtained the square brackets must be retained.'
Glegg (1929: 129) says: 'N. F. Ticehurst stated that these two were seen by Mr. Farn during one of the winters, between 1875 and 1880, but owing to the state of the tide was unable to sail within shot of them. He was, however, near enough to see their distinctive features.'
Not acceptable locally for Essex (Glegg 1929) or Kent (Ticehurst 1909; Harrison 1953).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1876 Dorset Christchurch, Hampshire, male, shot, 7th February.
("A Naturalist", The Times 1876; Graphic 25th March 1876).
[J. E. Harting, Field 29th Apr., 1876: 475].
History J. E. Harting (1876) in The Field, of 29th April, Vol. XLVII. p. 475, says 'A few weeks ago it was reported in The Times by "A Naturalist", writing from Christchurch, Hampshire, that "a male specimen of the Surf Scoter (Oidemia perspicillata), one of the most rare of our rare British birds (as he expressed it), was shot in the estuary at Christchurch the week before last, and was brought to him the same evening". It may be recollected that in the Field of Feb. 19 last there appeared a communication from Mr. T. M. Pike to the effect that on the 7th of that month he had shot a male Surf Scoter in Orkney, and had sent it for preservation to Mr. Hart, the well-known taxidermist of Christchurch.
On reading The Times report I came to the conclusion that "A Naturalist" had seen the Orkney specimen at Christchurch, and had erroneously supposed that it was shot there. Moreover, I had reason to believe that, had any example of the Surf Scoter been killed at Christchurch, I should have been duly informed of the circumstance by Mr. Hart, who is in the habit of sending notices of such local rarities as from time to time come under his observation.
Accordingly, with a view to resolve my doubts in the matter, I wrote to Mr. Hart, sent him the paragraph from The Times, and asked him whether the report was correct. In answer to my inquiries I received in due course the following reply: The Times is in error about the Surf Scoter, no specimen, to my knowledge, having been killed here. Had one been shot here, I should have sent a notice of it to the Field. You will see in the Graphic of March 25 another notice of the supposed occurrence of the bird here - much to my annoyance, having particularly requested them not to reprint the paragraph from The Times, which they had previously sent me. Moreover, I cut out Mr. Pike's letter from the Field of Feb. 19, and sent it with a sketch of his bird, stating that it was shot by him in the Orkneys.
Notwithstanding this, they have republished the report (p. 294), quoted me as their authority, and reproduced my sketch (p. 309) as 'Surf Scoter - rare British bird recently shot at Christchurch, Hampshire.'
This affords an illustration of the mode in which rare species are from time to time introduced into the list of British birds - a mode which, to say the least of it, is very misleading, and which, sooner or later, causes no end of perplexity to writers (be they authors or editors) of works on systematic ornithology.'
Comment Reported in error for the one in Orkney. Not acceptable.
0). 1886 Norfolk Lynn Deeps, seen, 11th December.
(Southwell, 1890; Riviere, 1930).
[Not in Seago, 1977].
History Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 197) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, in a footnote, says: 'Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., has favoured me with the following note: "Captain J. A. Vipan, of Stibbington Hall, Wansford, thinks he saw a Surf Scoter (Oedemia perspicillata), in Lynn Deeps, on December 11th, 1886, and it really seems likely that he was right. It was with a dozen Velvet Scoters, and had a white patch on its head; in size it seemed to be half-way between the Velvet and Common Scoters". The Surf Scoter is not the rarity it was once supposed to be: in the Orkneys Saunders says it is of frequent, almost annual, occurrence (Brit. Birds, IV. p. 482). Capt. Vipan, who, I believe, is well up in ducks, at once informed Lord Lilford of it.'
Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1890 Sussex Nutbourne Creek, Thorney Island, shot, 10th January.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[des Forges & Harber, 1963].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 43-44) says: 'Coming to our specimens, these are three in number and all go to the south-west corner of the county and to the credit of Mr. C. Fowler, who was a wild-fowler of much virtue. Their data read as follows: Nutbourne Creek, Thorney Island, January 10th, 1890...The first two birds were shot and until his death were in their slayer's possession. What has become of them since, I do not know.'
Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).
0). 1905 Sussex Crake Creek, Thorney Island, shot, early November.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[des Forges & Harber, 1963].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 43-44) says: 'Coming to our specimens, these are three in number and all go to the south-west corner of the county and to the credit of Mr. C. Fowler, who was a wild-fowler of much virtue. Their data read as follows: ...Crake Creek, also by Thorney, early November, 1905...The first two birds were shot and until his death were in their slayer's possession. What has become of them since, I do not know.'
Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).
0). 1907 Sussex Dell Quay, Chichester Harbour, seen, 15th May.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[des Forges & Harber, 1963].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 43-44) says: 'Coming to our specimens, these are three in number and all go to the south-west corner of the county and to the credit of Mr. C. Fowler, who was a wild-fowler of much virtue. Their data read as follows: ...and Dell Quay, May 15th, 1907.'
Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).
0). 1934 Fair Isle No locality, washed up, winter.
(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 56: 63; Eds., British Birds 30: 231).
[Williamson, 1965; Dymond, 1991]
History George Waterston (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. p. 63, under 'Bird Notes from Fair Isle', says: 'Surf Scoter - First record for the island. One was washed up on the shore during the winter of 1934 and was identified by George Stout. It was too decayed for preservation.'
In an Editorial (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 231, they say: 'Fair Isle. - Mr. G. Waterston gives details (Scot. Nat., 1936, pp. 61-64) of a number of interesting birds, which have occurred in Fair Isle and have not hitherto been recorded.
Amongst these we may mention the following: Surf Scoter (Oidemia perspicillata). - One washed up in the winter of 1934 was identified as of this species by Mr. George Stout, who also states that he has seen "numbers" of these birds in Sumburgh Voe.'
However, P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) under 'A List of the Birds of Fair Isle', square bracketed the species, saying: "no details recorded".
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1936 Fair Isle North Haven, seen, 8th February.
(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 56: 63; Eds., British Birds 30: 231).
[Williamson; 1965; Dymond, 1991].
History George Waterston (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. p. 63, under 'Bird Notes from Fair Isle', says: 'Surf Scoter - One was seen at North Haven on 8th February 1936. George Stout has seen numbers of these birds in Sumburgh Voe while crossing to Shetland with the mail boat.'
In an Editorial (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 231, they say: 'Mr. G. Waterston gives details (Scot. Nat. 1936, pp. 61-64) of a number of interesting birds, which have occurred in Fair Isle and have not hitherto been recorded.
Amongst these we may mention the following: - One was also seen at the North Haven on February, 8th, 1936.'
However, P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) under 'A List of the Birds of Fair Isle', square bracketed the species, saying: "no details recorded".
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1936 Fair Isle No locality, adult male, seen, 1st December.
(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 57: 75; Eds., British Birds 31: 124).
[Williamson; 1965; Dymond, 1991].
History G. Waterston (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 75, under 'Bird Notes from Fair Isle, 1936', says: 'Surf Scoter. - An adult drake was seen offshore by G.S. on 1st December 1936.'
In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 124, they say: 'Mr. George Waterston gives an account of a number of interesting birds observed at Fair Isle in 1936 (Scot. Nat. 1937, pp. 73-76). The more important of these are as follows: an adult drake Surf Scoter on December 1st.'
However, P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) under 'A List of the Birds of Fair Isle', square bracketed the species, saying: "no details recorded".
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1940 Fair Isle North Haven, two, seen, December.
(G. Waterston, British Birds 38: 231).
[Williamson, 1965; Dymond, 1991].
History G. Waterston (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 231, under 'Notes from Fair Isle, 1939-45', says: 'Surf Scoter - Two were seen at the North Haven in December, 1940. G.S.'
P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) under 'A List of the Birds of Fair Isle', and Dymond (1991) did not admit this record.
Comment G.S. = George Stout, an islander. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1956 Sussex Nook Beach pool, Rye, female, 28th October.
(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 8: 222).
[Not in Sussex Bird Report; des Forges & Harber, 1963].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1957) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 222, says: 'A duck, Nook Beach pool, Oct. 28th, Eider-like profile of head, feathering extending well down ridge of culmen, angling back at a very acute angle, ear patch a shade higher and definitely more clearly cut and whiter than in Velvet Scoter, no white in wings (A. & G.).
Identification confirmed later in day by Major-Gen. F. A. Jenkins, P. E. Elliott and B. Faux. Our first record; occurred near Lydd in 1915.']
Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).
