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Scoter-fest continues at Pleasant Valley Reservoir

Observers: Chris Howard
Email: choward@telis.org
Remote Name: 209.209.67.212
Date: 01/01/03
Time: 05:54:15 PM

An afternoon bike ride along Pleasant Valley Reservoir produced the continuing first-winter male Surf Scoter found on 24 Nov (Zatorski/Hetzler) and 14-15 Dec (Parkers/Dunn). There was also a White-winged Scoter nearby actively diving. 

I was too excited by the Scoters to pay proper attention to a female goldeneye with a mostly orange bill...the orange extended up into the area above the nostril, but not solidly. The bill seemed shorter and smaller than the adjacent adult male Common Goldeneye's and the forehead pitch could have been steep...I'd bet it was a Barrow's Goldeneye, but it deserved more attention and better lighting first. 

There was also a first-winter male Hooded Merganser. If you're planning to see these birds, my advice is go mid-day...it gets COLD down there. The birds were in the vicinity of the boat ramp half way down the reservoir.


First-winter male Surf Scoter


White-winged Scoter