Molt migration of scoters at Cape Peirce, Alaska

Abstract

An estimated 66 500 scoters passed in 1984. Peak passage occurred on 11 July in both years. Species composition of migrants in 1984 was c 77% white-winged scoters Melanitta fusca, 12% surf scoters M. perspicillata and 11% black scoters M. nigra. Most migrants were adult males, probably migrating from breeding grounds in Interior Alaska. A large and presently undescribed molting area of white-winged scoters probably exists somewhere in the waters of W Alaska or E Siberia. -from Authors