Breeding Ecology Of The Surf Scoter: Gathering Basic Data On The Last Of The Undocumented Species

Author(s): 
Reed, Austin
Savard, Jean-Pierre S.
Morrier, Alain
Lesage, Louis
Canadian Wildlife Service

In 1993-1996, we studied the breeding ecology of a small concentrated population of Surf Scoters Melanitta perspicillata on the southern edge of the breeding range in Quebec. We documented, for the first time, laying dates, clutch sizes, nest-site characteristics, nesting success, brood home ranges, duckling survival, and growth rates. A summary of our results is presented and comparisons made with with other recent, but less detailed information obtained further north in the heartland of the breeding range.