Living near salt water in the U.S. makes watching sea ducks a big part of birding. Scoters make a good group of birds for beginning birders to study because they meet many of the criterion for success. They are common, big, boldly marked, tend to sit still for good observation, and yet with three relatively common species and at least one really rare species they keep any birders curiosity peaked. Here are a few photos of scoters that I have taken:
These Surf scoters are in many areas the most common scoter species seen. In the winter they often congregate in single species flocks, as with this group of mixed-age-group males.
At first glance this scoter might be identified as a Black scoter, but it is really a mega-rarity for the ABA area a Common scoter. This one hung out on the Oregon coast for a month or more luring birders near and far to add it to their life list.
White-winged scoter and Black scoter are the two other common scoter species in the Western hemisphere. Enjoy looking over flocks of bay ducks to find the three usual species, and if you get uber lucky maybe a rarity too.
Good birding.
