Common Scoter Survey (Melanitta nigra) in Liverpool Bay (2000-2001) dataset https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=007_NRW_DS111800 The Common Scoter is strongly migratory and often travels considerable distances over land making brief stop-overs on inland waters. It is currently listed under the Birds Directive (Annex 2) Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn Convention Appendix 2) and is featured on the UK red-listed bird of conservation concern (for the breeding population) and a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Species for conservation and is a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The majority of wintering common scoter recorded around the Welsh coast around Carmarthen Bay, North Cardigan Bay and the North Wales coast, which in combination are thought to hold 30-36,000 birds. A further 10 sites regularly support 1000 or more birds. These are no known major concentrations away from these 13 sites, although this may be a consequence of the lack of appropriate survey. Large numbers of birds are recorded at several sites in April and May and there are significant post-breeding gatherings at three sites, including Carmarthen Bay, from August onwards. Casual observations suggest that these sites are not moulting grounds for the majority of birds. However there maybe as yet undetected moulting sites further offshore, as is the case in Denmark. The purpose of this data capture was to record the numbers and distribution of common scoter in the Liverpool Bay; to determine the accuracy of the two survey methods (aerial and land-based) and the correlation between the two; and to provide recommendations on future monitoring of common scoter in Liverpool bay. 20010831