Melanitta perspicillata
Status: Rare casual spring migrant statewide. Accidental in summer. Uncommon regular fall migrant statewide.
Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM10300, 7 May 1911 Lancaster Co.
Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022).
Changes since 2000: Of 15 accepted spring reports, 11 are during 2000-2022, suggesting an increase in Interior United States spring movement. Birders may also be scrutinizing flocks of waterfowl more closely and this may, at least partially, explain the increase in reports.
Spring: There are 15 accepted reports:
18-25 Mar 2020 adult male Harlan Co Reservoir, Harlan Co (Flohr video, William Flack, eBird.org)
5 Apr 1986 (3) Mormon Island SRA, Hall Co (Mark Brogie, eBird.org)
11 Apr 2020 immature male Hedgefield Lake, Lancaster Co (Larry Einemann, eBird.org); possibly one of two in 15-23 Apr record below
12 Apr 2014 immature male Cedar Co (David True, eBird.org)
12-18 Apr 2021 Summit Lake SRA, Burt Co (Strand, eBird.org)
15-23 Apr 2020 two immature males, Wagon Train RA, Lancaster Co (Gannon, eBird.org)
22-26 Apr 2019 (2) Lewis and Clark Lake, Knox Co (Mark Brogie, eBird.org)
22-23 Apr 2022 Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster Co (Steve Kruse, eBird.org)
29 Apr 2000 Keystone Lake, Keith Co (Steve Dinsmore, Silcock 2000)
3 May 1991 Lake Yankton, Cedar Co (Grenon 1991)
7 May 1911 Lancaster Co (specimen cited above)
12 May 2010 Lake Ogallala, Keith Co (Tim Hajda, eBird.org)
8-15 May 1998 first alternate male Keystone Lake (John Sullivan, eBird.org)
20 May 2013 an adult male photographed on the Missouri River in northwestern Dixon Co (Ryan Munes, Chris Merkord, eBird.org)
21 May 2010 Sarpy Co (Linda Rudolph, Silcock 2010).
A report of an apparent immature male at Funk WPA, Phelps Co 6 May 2007 was possibly correct, but details were lacking.
Summer: The single record is of an apparent subadult male at Lake Minatare, Scotts Bluff Co 21 Jun 2024 (Bob Rydell, personal communication and photo).
Fall: Oct 4, 5, 6 <<<>>> Jan 2, 2, 2
There are later dates of 1-4 from 4 Dec 1999 through 20 Jan 2000 at Lake Ogallala, and 1-2 there 1-8 Jan 2011 including a juvenile male and an adult female on 2 Jan.
Good totals for a season were the 29 reported 14 Oct-23 Nov 2021, 27 reported 11 Oct-25 Nov 2017, 26+ reported 6 Oct-14 Nov 2020, and the 25+ reported 12 Oct-25 Nov 2013.
- High counts: 10 at Lewis and Clark Lake, Knox Co 29 Oct 2022, 9 at Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster Co 9 Nov 2007, 9 there 7 Nov 2009, and 9 at Capitol Beach Lake, Lancaster Co 28 Oct 2017.
Images
Abbreviations
RA: Recreation Area
SRA: State Recreation Area
UNSM: University of Nebraska State Museum
WPA: Waterfowl Production Area (Federal)
Literature Cited
Gill, F., D. Donsker, and P. Rasmussen (Eds). 2022. IOC World Bird List (v 12.2). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.12.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
Grenon, A.G. 1991. 1991 (Fourth) Report of the NOU Records Committee. NBR 59: 150-155.
Silcock, W.R. 2000. Spring Field Report, March to May 2000. NBR 68: 55-81.
Silcock, W.R. 2010. Spring Field Report, Mar 2010 to May 2010. NBR 78: 38-62.
Recommended Citation
Silcock, W.R., and J.G. Jorgensen. 2024. Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata). In Birds of Nebraska — Online. www.BirdsofNebraska.org
Birds of Nebraska – Online
Updated 5 Aug 2024