Looking at Keith Brady's pictures of the Ocean Shores Eider it looks to be
molting (http://www.pbase.com/slickslug - Nice pics Keith!). One of the
images shows the bird lifting it's breast while flapping. The primaries
seem to be mostly absent, or very short. This would indicate that is should
be there for a few weeks, so folks should have an opportunity to view it. I
would think this is a little early for this species to molt. Males usually
leave the nesting areas in July for molting areas, and the breeding females
follow a few weeks later; I would guess that this female did not breed this
season. This bird is far outside the normal range, especially for this time
of year.

How many scoters were with the Eider, and were they flyers? The Surf and
White-winged scoters will begin molting later this month also, then into
August and September.

For more info regarding Sea Ducks the Sea Duck Joint Venture has an
excellent website full of valuable information. www.seaduckjv.org

Best,

Joe Evenson