In summer it has a distinctive red throat. They usually jump up to dive and can stay underwater for a minute and a half. They are very ungainly on land, only coming ashore to breed. They are listed as a Schedule 1 species under The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
The smallest of the UK's divers, its grey-brown plumage and up-tilted bill readily distinguish it from the other species.
Discover more about the Red throated diver
When to see
Red-throated divers arrive on their breeding grounds in April and depart in September and October. Birds from further north start to be seen off the UK's east and west coasts in August and September reaching a peak in October. Most birds move back north in March and April.
Where to see
Shetland is the UK stronghold for red-throated divers with other key populations on Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and the north Scottish mainland. They are also found along the whole of west Scotland south to the Mull of Kintyre. Outside the breeding season it is numerous along the UK's east coast, and occurs patchily along the west coast, with concentrations off west Scotland.
Did you know?
It is the lightest and smallest of all the diver species.
When to see
Red-throated divers arrive on their breeding grounds in April and depart in September and October. Birds from further north start to be seen off the UK's east and west coasts in August and September reaching a peak in October. Most birds move back north in March and April.
Where to see
Shetland is the UK stronghold for red-throated divers with other key populations on Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and the north Scottish mainland. They are also found along the whole of west Scotland south to the Mull of Kintyre. Outside the breeding season it is numerous along the UK's east coast, and occurs patchily along the west coast, with concentrations off west Scotland.
Did you know?
It is the lightest and smallest of all the diver species.
When to see
Red-throated divers arrive on their breeding grounds in April and depart in September and October. Birds from further north start to be seen off the UK's east and west coasts in August and September reaching a peak in October. Most birds move back north in March and April.
Where to see
Shetland is the UK stronghold for red-throated divers with other key populations on Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and the north Scottish mainland. They are also found along the whole of west Scotland south to the Mull of Kintyre. Outside the breeding season it is numerous along the UK's east coast, and occurs patchily along the west coast, with concentrations off west Scotland.
Did you know?
It is the lightest and smallest of all the diver species.
OTHER WILDLIFE SPECIES
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Registered Company No: 303299 | Registered address: Wild Scotland, Suite 212, 8 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1EA