Hi Linda and all,

I?m just back from short trip to Mount Rainier NP and was startled to see a
very gaudy male Surf Scoter diving repeatedly at Reflection Lakes. As I was
watching, two gents jumped out of their car to train their binoculars on the
scoter. The scoter's behavior indicated that it was finding food. There
seemed to be no other scoters present.

I checked the Park?s bird list. Surf scoter is not listed under either
?waterfowl? or ?accidentals.? I've not seen this species away from salt
water, nor in the mountains, and am not sure how unusual its presence there
might be

Al Wagar
Shoreline

On 10/21/04 10:00 AM, "LDavey at aol.com" <LDavey at aol.com> wrote:

> Tweets:
>
> Thanks to everyone who responded to my ID confirmation request. Seems we have
> ourselves a couple of female Surf Scoters on Pine Lake, though a some
> suggested White-winged scoter based on plumage, and a couple thought perhaps
> they were juvi males. There is a little difference in the two, so I'm inclined
> to think there is one male and one female, but I'm no expert, just a romantic.
> :)
>
> Regardless, we're thrilled to have the opportunity to see these guys on our
> little lake. It's this kind of sighting that makes birding so fun for us. Just
> when you think after four years looking out at the same lake, you've seen it
> all, BAM! along comes a stranger and it's a mad scramble for the field guides.
> I love it.
>
> The scoters are still here this morning, so we're going out on the lake with
> our cameras. Maybe we'll get a better shot. If so, I'll post it.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Linda Davey
> on Pine Lake
> Sammamish, WA
>