![](http://www.hakodatebirding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MG_3725.jpg)
Offshore at Oshamanbe, and several other places, there are rafts of this species in winter and spring. Stenjeger’s Scoter, a split from the White-winged Scoter in America and Velvet Scoter in Europe.
![](http://www.hakodatebirding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MG_3614.jpg)
Usually they are well offshore and never approach the ports but there were some of them right by the sea wall in the port at Oshamanbe on Sunday.
![](http://www.hakodatebirding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MG_3523.jpg)
Whilst these photos are nothing special, they are easily the best I’ve managed of this species.
Other stuff around included Black-throated Diver, Falcated Duck, Red-necked and Great-crested Grebes (the latter coming into summer plumage), Glaucous and Glaucous-winged Gulls and the usual common stuff. Except small birds of course.
There were also some dolphins (or porpoises) at the edge of the port: must have been a lot of fish around.
Serious odd-looking birds! And good shots too.
Yes the bill is weird………….
I had not been aware of this split. I have seen two of the three species, and I doubt that I will see the third.
More info on the split here.
I’ve only seen one so far………….