[All photographs copyright, Gary Nunn 2013] – Right now, late November to early December, it seems about every thousand or so Surf Scoters I see pass by Pt. La Jolla in San Diego County there will be a Black Scoter Melanitta americana tucked in with a southbound group. These individuals can be difficult to discern if the scoters pass by in a tight visually stacked (some in front of the others) flock. But often the scoter flocks have to turn slightly in their flight path to navigate around the point and this is when the small groups “string out” and some nice views, and photographs, can usually be obtained. This adult female Black Scoter passed by accompanying eleven Surf Scoters and came moderately close right over the center of the nearer kelp bed off the point. It shows off a full dark belly unlike juvenile/hatch-year males and females of this species which have a paler colored belly patch. In addition to the distinctive buffy cheek patch the Black Scoter also differs characteristically from the Surf Scoter by having a slimmer bill profile and more squared off or steeper forehead.

Black Scoter – adult female Pt. La Jolla, La Jolla, San Diego County, California 05 Dec 2013

Black Scoter – adult female Pt. La Jolla, La Jolla, San Diego County, California 05 Dec 2013

Black Scoter – adult female Pt. La Jolla, La Jolla, San Diego County, California 05 Dec 2013