UK Wildlife

Great Northern Diver Winter Visitor

The great northern diver is a large, powerful diving bird that winters on UK coastal waters from Icelandic and North American breeding grounds, with the diagnostic broken white collar and bold plumage.

Key Facts

Great northern diver is the largest diver and most powerfully built
UK wintering population around 4,000 birds on coastal seas and sea lochs
Bold black-and-white plumage in summer is diagnostic, pale in winter
Has occasionally bred in Scotland, most recently in the 1970s
Famous for yodelling calls on North American breeding lakes

Welfare Considerations

Great northern diver welfare depends on undisturbed inshore coastal feeding areas. Lead poisoning from angling weights is a known hazard. Oil pollution affects wintering divers. Disturbance from water sports and boat traffic in winter sea lochs reduces feeding efficiency.

What You Can Do

Use lead-free fishing weights to protect diving birds from poisoning
Support marine conservation in key great northern diver wintering areas
Record great northern diver through coastal surveys and BTO Birdtrack