Surf Scoter Spotted at Fountain Hills Lake



Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), female,
at Fountain Hills Lake, October 28th, 2011.

   I really went to Fountain Hills to check on the accessibility of Tommy D.'s recently noted "Fountain Hills Storm Drainage".  The area certainly looks like great lush habitat, thick with mesquite, cottonwood, palo verde, and willow trees, but wheelchair access looked a bit iffy.  Since I was by myself I opted to head to the lake, where I spotted this oddball among the little Ruddy Ducks.  It looks like a female Surf Scoter!  I didn't have my viewing scope with me, so I wasn't able to scan the lake and search for the much more striking and easily identifiable male Scoter.  He might still be out there, so go check it out!