Three types of scoter spotted on Arran

From the records of these three species on Arran in the last 10 years none could be described as “common” but they are very dark sea ducks wintering often in rough coastal seas so may be being over-looked and under-reported. In the last 10 years there have been around 50 reports of common scoter on Arran. Only eight of these reports were of more than 10 birds, the largest group was 38 in Cosyden on April 8, 2020. The other European scoter, the velvet scoter, has been reported twice on Arran and only once in the last 10 years, a male in Cosyden on October 14, 2019. The North American scoter, the surf scoter has been reported on three occasions in the last 10 years.

The first occasion that a surf scoter was reported on Arran, was a single female type bird that lingered off-shore from Whitefarland, through Pirnmill to Catacol from November 24, 2019 to January 1, 2020. (Further information at www.arranbirding.co.uk/surf-scoter--a-first-for-arran.html) The second occasion was again a single female type bird, either a female or a young male, that lingered off-shore around Pirnmill from March 3, 2025 to March 9, 2025. (Further information at www.arranbirding.co.uk/surf-scoter--second-arran-record.html) The third and most recent occasion was last month, February 2026, when a male and female were reported again off Pirnmill between February 17, 2026 and the end of the month.

I wonder if it will linger into March this year?

Enjoy your birding.

Please send any bird notes with “what, when, where” to me at Kilpatrick Kennels, Kilpatrick, Blackwaterfoot, KA27 8EY, or e mail me at jim@arranbirding.co.uk I look forward to hearing from you. For more information on birding on Arran purchase the annual bird report. The “Arran Bird Report 2025” should be in outlets round Arran in time for Easter. Look out for it. The 2024 report was sold out. Plus visit the website www.arranbirding.co.uk/index.html At all times follow the Arran Wildlife Code.