Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia
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Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata
WINTER: Casual Visitant. Four records. One female on 28 December 1997 at Harris River Front Park (JLH, GR); six from 02 January to 09 January 1999 (WA, MG) and one on 27 February 1999 (WA) at Byrd Locks & Dam; one ("immature") on 04 January 1998 on the Ohio River at Huntington, WV (WA, CE, AT). One on 25 December 1977 ( Huntington, WV, CBC).
SUMMER: NO RECORDS.
MIGRATION:
Spring: Accidental. One on 18 April 2007 at Beech Fork Lake (GR); one female on 08 May 1999 at Byrd Locks & Dam (BD, JH, JLH, GR).
Fall: Casual Visitant. Five records. One ("immature") on 11 October 1993 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); one ("immature") on 16 October 1993 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA); one ("immature") from 03 November to 11 November 1997 on the Ohio River at Harris River Front Park (WA, JLH, GR, HS); one on 07 November 1992 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG); six (1 male, 5 female) on 23 November 2002 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, Joe Browning).
REMARKS: Since the 1980's, the Surf Scoter has become the most frequently recorded scoter in Ohio (Peterjohn 2001). In our area, 9 of 10 Surf Scoter records have occurred since 1992. See Remarks section for White-winged Scoter.