Wildfowl? Firth of Forth (1 Viewer)

[Gander]

Only one shot at distance taken this morning, but these don't seem to be Eider. Wings look narrow, and almost Gannet like, but bodies are big heavy and dark backed. I'm probably being deceived by poor photo at long range. Thoughts please?

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Red-breasted Mergansers

 

[Gander]

Thanks Andrew. Didn't even consider them as I thought they had all moved off. Surprised at how heavy bodied they looked, but I have rarely seen them in flight. They usually tend to just paddle by.

 

[Butty]

More like goosanders?

 

[Eranou]

I would lean towards Goosander too, just because the white parts of the wing between the body and darker tip looks cleaner, without the distinct lines on a Merganser. Difficult to tell for sure without better pictures though.

 

[Stonefaction]

I would lean towards Goosander too, just because the white parts of the wing between the body and darker tip looks cleaner, without the distinct lines on a Merganser. Difficult to tell for sure without better pictures though.

The dark lines are there, but because of the resolution of the photo and distance they look like a grey-ish smudge and are visible on most of the male birds. Red Breasted Merganser are also the more likely of the 2 species to be found there at this time of year (saw a few on Monday there).