>From my short (5 years) perspective here in north-central Idaho, we are
seeing unprecedented numbers of Surf Scoters this fall in Idaho. In most
falls we may get 1 or 2 sightings of individual Surf Scoters from the
regularly covered locations. We do get fairly light coverage overall but
Mann Lake (Nez Perce Co, ID) is birded somewhat regularly from September
through November. We get pretty excited about a single Surf Scoter. In the
past 2 weeks we have had flocks of 5 and 3 in a county w/ very few bodies of
water and probably no previous records and at Mann Lake up to 18 birds -
possibly a record count for Idaho. I think we may not have realized that
there are regular movements in early October so perhaps now we will be
looking and finding them more regularly. Still I think this fall may be
somewhat unusual in terms of numbers. Also notable is that we have had fair
weather all fall and we would be more likely to expect larger fallouts on
smaller bodies of water during inclement periods if large numbers of birds
transverse the area regularly.

Eastern Washington is probably a different story and may have benefited by
increased coverage on the larger bodies of water. On October 14, 2001 we
found 6 White-winged Scoters on Sprague Lake (Adams Co.) and 16 (13 Surf & 3
White-winged) at Rock Lake (Whitman Co.) after passage of a cold front. So
perhaps scoters should be expected in e. WA in October but from comments of
some observers the numbers for this fall are unexpected. It would be
interesting to hear from folks in southern Alberta. I looked at emails
posted on their web site but have mot corresponded directly with any local
birders.

In and case it is exciting to know that there is still a lot to learn about
movements of birds through our area, especially east of the Cascades.

thanks, Charles.

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Charles E. Swift
Moscow, ID, USA
charless at moscow.com
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