White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi

Formerly thought to be the American subspecies of Velvet Scoter, this taxon is now widely recognised as being a distinct species. Although a few long-staying birds have now been found in Scotland, I am yet to see it in the UK - my only record being from a holiday in North America.

White-winged Scoters, Seaside (California, USA), 1st May 2005