ML645290674

Observation details

Female found by Steve Tucker this morning, presumably a HY female? It was initially found among Surf Scoters just south of the south jetty, but during our visit it moved widely over a quarter-mile length of inshore breakers at high tide. While the eider was sometimes with scoters, it got up and flew south several times of its own volition, often landing inshore near an outlet pipe that extended into the sea a quarter-mile down the beach. At one point it stepped up onto the pipe to flap its wings, before gently let a wave carry it back into the ocean. Twice it subsequently took flight northward again to land among scoters foraging in the surf right next to the south jetty. Photos.

Additional species

• Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata