White-winged Scoter on Harrison Lake

[Janne]

Today, October 11, about 4:00 PM a White-winged Scoter was feeding in the float plane dock bay along with a pair of Lesser Scaup. Here's a poor photo which shows the field marks (white secondaries on wing and white cheek patch) :

As we watched and attempted to get a decent shot with the challenging lighting conditions and frequent long dives, it tired of the competition from the Scaup and flew north out into the lake and landed by a group of three Bufflehead the first I've seen this year. As it flew the white secondaries were clearly visible.

Earlier we watched a Redhead feeding in the lagoon with a group of about 30 American Wigeon. There were about a total of 75 wigeon about the lagoon as well as some Canada Geese, Mallards, and American Coot. Earlier in the week the Wigeon numbered about 150. Down by the sewage lagoon were 3 Northern Pintail, more Mallards & C. Geese, a GB Heron and a few GW Teal. I didn't see any dickey birds except Dark-eyed Juncos.

On Saturday there was a Horned Lark with a yellow throat (Interior West type) and a small flock of Savannah Sparrows.

Where are those Lapland Longspurs?
Janne Perrin
Harrison Hot Springs

[Chris]

Janne another great sighting at Harrison! The Scoter was still next to the boats along with the Scaups. There were six Buffleheads and a lone Common Merganser.

No Lapland Longspurs were seen. They are usually seen on the north side of the lagoon. I have seen them on the eastern portion mostly.

I guess I didn't have to go to White Rock to see a White-winged Scoter!

[Gord]

Janne, right on! Keep checking that area especially with the change of weather. Who knows what kind of birds get funneled down from the north through Harrison Lake to end up at the beach area! So far, we've got a pretty impressive list!