Date: 10/28/25 3:39 am From: 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] New Looks at Scoters (Long)
Yesterday I was reminded once again about what makes birding special for me. It was a chilly morning at the Mystic Lakes, quiet in every respect. The eagle activity was very low key. The Great Egret of the past few days was gone and the juvenile Spotted Sandpiper of the past several weeks had disappeared as well. The highlight, beyond a young, rambunctious little juvenile male Cooper's Hawk harassing two Ring-billed Gulls that were larger than him, was when I spotted a small diving duck flying north high overhead. No one else was really paying much attention when I called it out the first time. I shouted diving duck, based on its small size and very rapid wingbeats, but it looked all dark underneath and I couldn't figure out what it was. It appeared to land in the far reaches of the upper lake, but I could not see it. Then I spotted a similar critter flying south high overhead. No better looks or ideas this time, mainly watching a duck butt flying south. Minutes later I saw it again flying north. Originally I thought it was going to be a Bufflehead or possibly a Common Goldeneye, but it clearly was not. No white or pale belly was visible. It obviously was not a Wood Duck either. I was puzzled. Then I saw it fly north again and got people on it. I got my best view yet. Small, all black, including the belly, with a contrasting underwing; lighter flight feathers below. Two photographers, one being Frank Killoren, caught an orange flash on the bill. Drake Black Scoter. But it still seemed smaller and faster than I think Black Scoters are. Later Julie and I drove to Plum Island. We visited Lot 7 as a rising tide began to cover Emerson Rocks. Juvenile and immature Northern Gannets were occasionally approaching close to shore, but there were very few sea ducks visible; odd for a day with a northeast wind. But there was a drake, 2nd year Surf Scoter not too far offshore, and it was hanging with two drake adult White-winged Scoters. Every year I appreciate all three scoters more and more, even as they become fewer and fewer. In recent years, Black Scoter have often appeared to be more abundant than the usual White-winged Scoter. but I've had a special fondness for the uniquely colored drake Surf Scoter, or Skunkhead. Yesterday, they swam atypically close to shore on the rising tide. Whenever they dived and came up with food, they were harassed by juvenile Herring Gulls, so they moved around a lot, but I was able to get decent photographs with my 125X Nikon P1100, often with two mixed drakes swimming together. Shortly before we left I had a large very distant flock of Black Scoter flying low over the water from the north, looking disorderly, like a massive jail break. Returning home I went to The Crossley ID Guide:Waterfowl, which I think to be the richest recent guide to waterfowl, with abundant photos and great text. What struck me this time was that Black Scoter average just above 2 lbs, with Surf Scoter about 10% heavier and White-winged Scoter roughly 50% heavier. Then the light dawned. I realized that I can't recall ever having Black Scoter, especially a lone drake, flying high directly over me like the duck yesterday morning. It is somewhat larger than a Wood Duck, but was flying higher than I usually see Wood Ducks, or obviously even the much smaller Bufflehead or the Common Goldeneye, which is about the same mass as the Black Scoter. All three scoter in one late October day. Not unusual, but a learning experience. I am also fascinated because scoter are raised in freshwater environments. When they winter on saltwater, they change their prey and their body has to adjust to treat the radically new intake of salt in their diet. Talk about having to grow up quickly...... Best, Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
