A rescued
scoterThe plight of the Common Scoter (Melannita nigra) was one of the most significant of the tragedies caused by the Sea Empress oil disaster.
A rescued
scoter
This black sea duck occurs in large numbers in the area during the winter months. Even larger numbers occur in March and April, when Carmarthen Bay acts as a stop-over point for migrating birds heading north. These individuals could have wintered as far south as North Africa.
One of the
many dead scoters (29K JPEG image)
It is highly likely that most of the 4,700 or so Scoters originally affected were from the segment of the wintering flock residing in the western half of Carmarthen Bay. Large oil slicks persisted in that area. Thousands of birds survived by remaining in the eastern half of the bay which was not significantly affected by oil. The survivors were subsequently augmented by an influx of thousands of migrating birds.
University of Wales Swansea School of Biological Sciences Home Page
Authors: Peter Dyrynda, Rob Symberlist
Contributors: Derek Thomas, Paul Llewellyn
Contact: P.Dyrynda@swansea.ac.uk
Update: 29/4/02