Surf scoters are sea ducks that breed in the northern forests and tundra of North America and winter along the coasts of North America, Europe, and Asia. They get their name from their preference for wintering along surf-pounded coastal habitats. Surf scoters are excellent divers and swim underwater to find food, mainly mollusks. Their dark plumage and colorful bills make them a treat to see for birdwatchers. Understanding where surf scoters are located throughout the year can help bird enthusiasts know when and where to look for them.
Breeding Range
Surf scoters breed in the boreal forest and tundra regions of Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. Their breeding range extends:
Alaska and Western Canada
– Alaska: Throughout mainland and coastal areas
– Yukon Territory
– Northwest Territories
– British Columbia: Coastal and central interior regions
– Alberta: Northern boreal regions
Central and Eastern Canada
– Manitoba: Central and northern regions
– Ontario: Coasts of Hudson Bay and James Bay
– Quebec: Coastal and central regions
– Labrador
– Newfoundland
United States
– Washington: Northern Cascade Mountains
– Idaho: Northern regions
– Montana: Northwest corner
– Wyoming: Northwest corner
– Minnesota: Northeast corner
– Maine: Interior and northern regions
Surf scoters nest near lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands within their breeding range, with a preference for boreal forest habitats. They build nests on the ground concealed by vegetation near the water’s edge.
Wintering Range
In the fall, surf scoters migrate from their breeding grounds to coastal wintering areas along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf Coasts. Their winter range includes:
Pacific Coast
– Alaska: Aleutian Islands, Kodiak Island, and Southeast region
– British Columbia: Coastal inlets and bays
– Washington: Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and outer coast
– Oregon: Coastal bays and estuaries
– California: San Francisco Bay, Monterey Bay, Morro Bay
Gulf Coast
– Texas: Coastal bays and lagoons
– Louisiana: Coastal bays and marshes
– Mississippi: Coastal bays and marshes
Atlantic Coast
– Massachusetts: Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound
– Rhode Island: Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound
– New York: Long Island Sound
– New Jersey: Inlets and bays
– Delaware: Delaware Bay
– Maryland: Chesapeake Bay
– Virginia: Chesapeake Bay
– North Carolina: Coastal sounds and inlets
Interior United States
– Great Lakes: Lake Ontario, Erie, St. Clair, Huron, and Michigan
– Midwest rivers: Mississippi River and tributaries
On the wintering grounds, surf scoters inhabit bays, estuaries, harbors, and coastal waters often near sandy beaches. They dive for mollusks, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.
Migration Route and Stopovers
Surf scoters take a fairly direct migration path along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts between their breeding and wintering grounds. Important stopover sites include:
Pacific Flyway
– Southeast Alaska
– Strait of Georgia in British Columbia
– Puget Sound in Washington
Atlantic Flyway
– St. Lawrence River Valley
– Coastal Maine
– Coastal Massachusetts
– Long Island Sound
Some surf scoters also stage on the Great Lakes during fall and spring migrations.
Season | Region | Key Habitats |
---|---|---|
Breeding | Alaska and Western Canada | Boreal forests and tundra near lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands |
Breeding | Central and Eastern Canada | Boreal forests near lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands |
Breeding | Northern U.S. | Boreal forests near lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands |
Wintering | Pacific Coast | Coastal bays, estuaries, harbors |
Wintering | Gulf Coast | Coastal bays, lagoons, marshes |
Wintering | Atlantic Coast | Bays, sounds, coastal inlets |
Wintering | Interior U.S. | Great Lakes, Midwest rivers |
Migration | Pacific Flyway | Southeast Alaska, Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound |
Migration | Atlantic Flyway | St. Lawrence River, Coastal Maine and Massachusetts, Long Island Sound |
Population Distribution
Surf scoters number approximately 825,000 birds worldwide. Their breeding and wintering populations are concentrated in the following regions:
Breeding
Region | Population |
---|---|
Alaska | 330,000 |
Northern Canada | 100,000 |
Northern U.S. | 15,000 |
Total | 445,000 |
The largest breeding concentrations occur in Alaska, followed by northern Canada. Smaller numbers breed in the northern United States.
Wintering
Region | Population |
---|---|
Pacific Coast | 400,000 |
Atlantic Coast | 150,000 |
Interior U.S./Canada | 150,000 |
Europe/Asia | 125,000 |
Total | 825,000 |
The Pacific Coast of North America supports the largest wintering numbers, followed by the Atlantic Coast and interior regions of the U.S. and Canada. Additional significant populations winter along the coasts of Europe and Asia.
Status and Conservation
Surf scoters remain abundant overall as a species. However, some regional declines have been noted, particularly in the Atlantic Coast population over the last few decades. Potential threats on the wintering grounds include oil spills, habitat loss, marine pollution, and disturbance. Careful monitoring and protection of key habitats will be important for the long-term conservation of surf scoter populations.
Population Trends
Region | Population Trend |
---|---|
Pacific Coast | Stable |
Interior U.S./Canada | Stable |
Atlantic Coast | Declining |
Atlantic Coast wintering populations have declined by approximately 50% since the 1980s, while Pacific and Interior populations appear stable.
Conservation Status
– IUCN Red List: Least Concern
– Federal Status: Not listed under ESA
– Regional Concern: Declining populations on Atlantic Coast
While surf scoters remain widespread and abundant overall, the declines of Atlantic Coast populations are concerning and need to be monitored closely and addressed through habitat protection and management.
Conclusion
In summary, surf scoters inhabit boreal forest and tundra habitats while breeding in northern North America and coastal marine habitats along the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf, and European coasts in winter. Their distribution and migratory patterns place them along the Pacific and Atlantic flyways. While Pacific populations are stable, declines in the Atlantic indicate a need for habitat conservation and management focused on key wintering and migration sites. Understanding the movement patterns and distribution of surf scoters throughout the year can help inform conservation efforts for this species.