Black Scoters are rare on the south coast with two locations I know where
they are regular, one in Coos and one in Curry. That said, visiting
birders often report a few here and there which I attribute to misID (in
many cases) of first spring female and juvenile scoters which can
resemble female Blacks and which I suspect are often misIDed as Blacks.
Blacks seem much more regular on the central and north coast and many a
birder gets habituated to seeing a few on their coastal outings and perhaps
could get a quick view of a distant bird and call it a Black without a
second thought. Careful about doing so on the south coast!
Occasionally I will see one or even two (wow I think) in Coos Bay or at
Bandon between the jetties, so they do occur most certainly, but when I see
a report of two or three Surfs and several Blacks I almost always know the
reporter had misIDed a few birds.
The two locations where they are regular is at Five Mile Point in Coos,
which can be reached from Seven Devils Wayside. Dave Lauten often reports
them from the golf course above where he works part time. You can access
this location by walking north from Seven Devils Wayside (between Bandon
and Coos Bay), an easy hike best done at low tide. A large flock there
is like five birds! Otherwise in Coos, be exceptionally happy to find the
occasional bird or two (if you are really lucky). The bay often hosts many
hundreds of scoters which are usually all Surfs with the occasional
White-wingeds.
In Curry there is a great location for Blacks, it is south of Floras Lake
about 1/2 between there and Blacklock Point. It requires about an hour
hike but one is rewarded with a flock that can number over a 100. I have
not done extensive offshore birding in southern Curry, but I bet there are
a few more locations. They seem to like areas offshore with coastal cliffs
nearby, so there could be other regular winter flocks in isolated areas in
Curry too.
In conclusion, call yourself lucky to spot a Black Scoter or two on the
south coast!
Happy winter birding all,
Tim Rodenkirk
Coos Bay
