Birding the Salish Sea: Scoters, Loons & Harlequin Ducks, oh my!
Guest post by Amanda Colbert
Spring in the central Salish Sea is one of my favorite times of year to get out on the water and look for birds. Days are warmer and longer, and the birds can sense that their most productive season is on the horizon. We see shifts in their habitat usage and plumage; some marine birds are preparing to migrate inland to freshwater, while other seabird species are arriving from the open ocean to access food resources and nesting sites here. This time of year often results in an overlap of “expected” species on the water—some choosing to depart later than usual, others arriving early. It’s this exciting unknown that keeps me coming back year after year to see who is overwintering and who is eager to get the breeding season started.
Though I keep watch for any and all species, I’ll admit that there are certain birds I’m especially excited to see during this time: scoters, loons, and Harlequin ducks.
Scoters
Scoters are fascinating marine birds. Using their powerful beaks, they pry mollusks, mussels, clams, and other bivalves loose from rocks—then swallow their prey whole! Their extra-large, super-tough gizzards (filled with sand) crush the shells of whatever they’ve consumed, and those shards are later regurgitated, leaving the protein for digestion. Wild, right? Male Surf Scoters, in particular, have large, colorful beaks and are often mistaken for puffins. While they are stunning with their sleek black plumage and bright beaks, I find even the females, in their more muted tones, equally marvelous. Their chocolate and russet browns help them blend into their surroundings, giving them an edge in raising their duckling broods.
Loons
Three species of loon use the coastal Salish Sea as their winter foraging grounds: Common Loons, Red-throated Loons, and Pacific Loons. Common Loons move inland to breed and nest on freshwater lakes, while Red-throated and Pacific Loons head to tundra lakes and ponds. At this time of year, we may see loons in transitional plumage—like a Common Loon preening and picking off its drab winter feathers to make way for new ones, revealing black and white spotted patterns beneath. If an individual truly overwintered here, we might be lucky enough to spot it in full breeding plumage. It’s a striking sight!
Harlequin Ducks
As the name suggests, the males look as though they’ve been painted—shades of blue, rusty red, and crisp white markings. Females, more muted for nesting purposes like female scoters, wear a white cheek patch on either side of their face reminiscent of old-timey dolls. Not only are they stunning, but Harlequins are incredibly hearty. Often found around rocky islets and along intertidal zones with fast-moving currents in winter and early spring, these ducks sustain more broken bones and fracture injuries than any other waterfowl species. You’d think that kind of rugged lifestyle might shorten their lifespan, but Harlequin Ducks have been recorded living up to 20 years! Tough and resilient, indeed.
What will this spring’s Birding the Salish Sea trip bring us? I can only speculate—but I’m sure looking forward to exploring and meeting others who are just as eager to enjoy the birds as I am!
Amanda Colbert is an educator and naturalist, guiding nature excursions through her company Sea to Sky Guiding. Amanda strives to introduce people of all ages to the diverse wildlife found throughout the Salish Sea region and is especially passionate about getting women and solo explorers outdoors and immersed in a safe experience. The importance of interconnectedness, along with mindfulness for the wildlife, their habitats, and preserving the natural resources that are unique to this bioregion are at the core of what she shares. Amanda has been teaching courses, giving talks, and guiding wildlife walks, boat-based tours, and other nature outings for many years, through multiple organizations and programs. She has a soft spot for this region’s orca communities and an infectious admiration for birds.