Common Scoter
Melanitta nigra
Scótar
Status All Ireland: Regular breeder (Republic only, extinct as breeder in Northern Ireland)
Population estimate all Ireland: 5-40 pairs
Trend (12 years): Marked decrease
Trend (40 years): Decline
Survey timing: May to July
Habitat: Oligotrophic (poor) large lakes with rocky environment and islands.
Occurrence: Breeds Lough Corrib, and probably Loughs Conn, Derg and Arrow. Extinct as Breeder Lower Lough Erne and apparently Mask.
Habitat preference (simple description of preferred nesting habitat): Roughly vegetated ground near water; likes islands for nesting.
Preferred ways to establish breeding status: Search for adult female escorting young on water.
