The vastness and remoteness of the Boreal forest has ensured that many aspects of the biology of birds of the Boreal are poorly known. Wetlands of the Boreal are critically important breeding and molting areas for many of the so-called sea ducks�duck species that typically winter in nearshore ocean waters along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
 Photo USGS |
| Male surf scoter fitted with PTT100 transmitter For More information visit USGS Satellite Surf Scoter Tracking page |
In the last few years a group of researchers working through a coalition called the Sea Duck Joint Venture, (http://seaduckjv.org) has been trying to learn more about these birds by sponsoring and promoting research on them. One of the most interesting studies has been the satellite telemetry projects that have allowed us all to see the amazing migrations of these birds. The Sea Duck Joint Venture has a page with links to numerous telemetry maps for a variety of sea ducks.
(http://seaduckjv.org/ststoc.html)
This year (2005) there are maps you can look at to see where Surf and White-winged Scoters tagged in coastal British Columbia and Surf Scoters tagged in Chesapeake Bay are this summer.
(http://seaduckjv.org/ststoc.html)
Most of the scoters tagged in British Columbia in the winter are now (as of July 5) in the Northwest Territories.
(http://seaduckjv.org/bcmaps/susc_bc_all2005.jpg)
Those tagged in Chesapeake Bay are now in northern Quebec and Labrador.
(http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/scoters/Map_MenuH.htm)
More than 80% of North America's Black, Surf, and White-winged scoters breed in the Boreal. Sadly, scoters are estimated to have seen a 50% decline in abundance in western North America since the 1950�s. The causes of the decline remain a mystery.
Jeff Wells
Senior Scientist
Boreal Songbird Initiative
