Velvet Scoter

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

• This species is listed as Vulnerable, so extra caution is warranted: watch wintering rafts from shore or a stationary boat at a distance that does not cause birds to dive repeatedly or swim away, and never approach close enough to split a flock.
• It is protected under wildlife and hunting regulations across its European and Asian range, though the specifics of protected status, hunting seasons, and enforcement vary significantly by country, so treat any approach as more restricted than for a common species rather than assuming a single rule applies everywhere.
• Avoid boat traffic or activity that pushes flocks off traditional wintering grounds, since disturbance compounds pressure from habitat loss and accidental bycatch already affecting the population.