The Juvenile Birder

Seaducks! We set off at 2.30am and arrived at Cocklawburn Beach at 6:30am in hopes of seeing the recently reported Black Scoter. When we arrived, we stood on some elevated rocks and scanned the sea. A few guillemots were close in, as well as a Red-throated Diver. I then spotted a raft of Common Scoters in the distance and scanned through them, yet we couldn't find the Black Scoter. We kept scanning and saw a stunning flock of Turnstones. Then, a skein of geese flew overhead, making a barking sound. I then saw their face to confirm it, they were Barnacle Geese! These were the first confirmed wild ones I had ever seen, as I've only encountered feral ones. More skeins of Pink-footed Geese flew over, as well as four Whooper Swans! We then went over to the Seahouse Cottage for a better vantage point. We scanned, yet we couldn't find anything. Then finally another birder showed up, with a better scope and more knowledge! He came at around 9:00am (this was the same time the bird w...