Tag Archives: surf scoter

Melanitta perspicillata: Surf Scoter–Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Surf scoter,  Melanitta perspicillata at Race Rocks photo by Nick Townley

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Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata in flight

surfscoterSurf Scoters are often sighted off the shores of Taylor beach in the fall (see http://metchosinmarine.ca/gf/?p=3080 ) but only show up at Race Rocks occasionally .. see the Christmas Bird Count records: The first photographic record we have was taken in November, 2014 by Ecoguardian Nick Townley.

RMfeb42009surfscoterPM

This photo was taken by Ecoguardian Ryan Murphy in 2009 but was probably in outer Pedder Bay where they are frequently found.

 

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Merginae
Genus: Melanitta
Species: M. perspicillata

Surf Scoter range

Winter and Summer range of surf scoter: from seaduck ventures page

An excellent reference on the surf scoter with an image of the range can be found on the seaduck ventures page

 

 

 

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taxonomyicon Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Dec 2014, Nick Townley

 

Surf and Surf Scoters

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The wind blew at 10 knots from the north for the morning.  In the afternoon, the wind increased to 25 knots as the direction swung around to the southwest.  The barometer dropped from 1011 hPa to 990 hPa as the sun set at 16:28.  The sea was rippled, then a big swell rolled in from the southeast during the afternoon.  A gale warning is in effect with winds possibly topping out at 47 knots.  The sky was mostly overcast with some breaks of sun and occasional rain showers.  The rain water cistern is filling itself up again after the dry spell.

There were no boats seen in the reserve today.

A single surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata was spotted in the reserve this morning, before it took off towards the west.  The waves crashing into rocky shore produced some spectacular splashes.  Sea lions were surfing the waves and leaping out the top.  The low light and rain made photography difficult.