Velvet Scoter, Melanitta fusca

Local status: Very rare passage migrant

Wintering in small numbers along the Yorkshire coast, it is likely that this species occasionally joins parties of Common Scoters, Melanitta nigra, migrating overland. It is worth carefully checking any flocks of Common Scoters that turn up for this species and indeed the even rarer Surf Scoter, M. perspicillata which also associates with this species and has turned up inland in other parts of the country.

Records:
2021: An immature drake at Acaster South Ings on 12th and 13th February was at Wharfe Ings on 14th and 15th February and then on the River Ouse near Naburn from 20th to 24th February.
1994: Wheldrake Ings, 15th March. Drake.
1979: Castle Howard, 13th October. Immature drake