Common Eider

Somateria mollissima

Locally common breeder particularly in Northern England & Scotland with 60,000 birds, though numbers are declining.

Also breeds along the coast in Iceland, Siberia & North America.

In winter some move to Biscay coasts, south to Southern Europe & USA.

Males are istinct, with its black and white plumage and green nape. 

Females are brown birds, but can still be readily distinguished from all ducks, except other eider species, on the basis of size and head shape. 

The call is a strange almost human-like "ah-ooo" made by the Males.

While the Females utters a hoarse quacks.