Jennifer and Tweeters,



Black Scoters would be impossible on a Cascade mountain lake in August. The
species doesn't breed in British Columbia, let alone in Washington.



What about young Barrow's Goldeneyes? The habitat is perfect for them,
although they may be an uncommon breeder that far south. Downy young of
Barrow's Goldeneyes, Common Goldeneyes, and Buffleheads all have blackish
heads with contrasting white cheeks and throats. Without an adult female
present, the young of these 3 species are so similar that they are hard to
tell from each other. However, in the area you describe, Barrow's Goldeneye
would be the most likely of those 3 species.



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net







From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Jennifer
DeSelle
Sent: August-15-13 9:30 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] Juvenile black scoters?



I just got back from backpacking in the Indian Heaven Wilderness, Gifford
Pinchot Nat'l Forest. We camped on Junction Lake, which is a small, shallow
lake at 4,700 feet. Over 2 days we were able to observe 2 juvenile ducks on
this lake. I could not identify them in the field. I did not have my
camera but took notes. When we got home we began researching, only discover
that our ducks look exactly like juvenile Black Scoters, which should not be
down here during the summer. They had the dark head, prominent white cheek,
and white undersides. We observed them diving and eating insects flying
over the water by snapping at them. They did not fly at all but would
"test" their wings, bucking up and revealing their white breast/bellies.
Could these be Black Scoters? Does anyone have any other ideas?



Jennifer DeSelle

Olympia, WA

jendeselle at yahoo.com