Surf scoters Melanitta perspicillata aggregate in association with ephemerally abundant polychaetes

Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) Science Article 1

abstract

[…] During the week of 16-23 April 2003, we observed an unusually large aggregation of sea ducks and a Gray Whale Eschrichtius robustus foraging at Mapleguard Point, located in the southern portion of Baynes Sound, after which the site was abandoned. The flock consisted primarily of Surf Scoters with smaller numbers of White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis, and Greater Scaup Aythya marila. We estimated approximately 5000 Surf Scoters in the dense flock within a 46 ha intertidal area. [

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