Population Delineation and Wintering Ecology of Surf Scoters in Southeast Alaska

Population delineation and wintering ecology of Surf Scoters have been studied in detail through much of their range.  A conspicuous gap exists for Southeast Alaska, which is near the northern end of their winter distribution.  Because Southeast Alaska is an important wintering habitat for a sizeable number of Pacific Surf Scoters, we propose to mark birds with satellite transmitters to quantify links among annual cycle stages, define management units, and conduct studies of wintering ecology that will be directly comparable to work at more southerly wintering sites, allowing a full consideration of latitudinal variation in wintering ecology of the species.  This work will provide data to evaluate population dynamics and identify important habitats of this declining species - high priorities in the Sea Duck Joint Venture (SDJV) Strategic Plan.

Project Proposal (pdf file 37 kb)

Locations of marked Surf Scoters and possible breeding sites (click on maps for larger view):

2009-2010 Migration Chronology for Surf Scoters

2008-2009 Migration Chronology for Surf Scoters

Surf Scoter 36135 - Adult Male

Surf Scoter 40169 - Adult Male

Surf Scoter 40171 - Adult Female

Surf Scoter 44714 - Adult Female

Winter Movements- Shows 1 week of locations of 5 adult scoters that were recently captured and marked with satellite transmitters near Juneau, Alaska

Migration Map_44714- Shows the locations of this adult female over a 13 month period from initial attachment of a satellite transmitter in Nov 2008