As I write a large flock of approximately 500 scoters has gathered at Barn Point at York Beach (near Short Sands). They flew in about an hour ago and are comprised mostly of Black (Common) Scoters with a few Surfs mixed in. This appears to be part of their annual staging before they take off for their breeding grounds in Labrador or northern Quebec.
About five years ago we witnessed a similar gathering of White-Winged Scoters in two groups of 1500 and 700. They were actually in flight moving north, and as they reached the Cape Neddick River they turned sharply left over land. The White-wings breed much further west, mostly in central and northwestern Canada, and as we watched in awe we wondered if this was the actual point that they left their ocean wintering grounds and moved to fresh water.
I hope we are awake when these Black Scoters leave!
Glenn Jenks
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