Scoters Home Capture Methods Satellite Results Links   Web Site Citation: Nysewander, D.R., J.R. Evenson, B.M. Murphie, T.C. Cyra, D. Kraege, B. Hall, and D. Lambourn. 2005. Satellite Telemetry Project for Surf and White-winged Scoters in Puget Sound, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA. http://wdfw.wa.gov. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program, Olympia, WA. For Further Information Contact: Dave Nysewander Joe Evenson Acknowledgements: This project was in part funded by the Sea Duck Joint Venture, and state wildlife grants from the federal government to the WDFW. The assistance of many people who graciously provided their time and expertise is greatly appreciated: Eric Anderson (University of Wyoming) WDFW Biologists: Don Kraege, Jennifer Bohannon, Jeff Davis, Greg Falxa, Julie Henning, Kye Iris, Kelly McAllister, Pat Miller, Ruth Milner, Brad Otto, Greg Schirato Tammy Schmidt, Shannon Sewalt, Julie Stofel, Robin Woodin Evergreen State College Interns: Jason Smith and Rodrigo Purpon Jim Hodgson (WDFW Pilot) Jeff Well (Rite Brothers Aviation) Volunteers: Mark Schoening and Don Norman

Scoter Satellite Telemetry Project in Puget Sound Figure 1. Locations of comparable transects flown during MESA (1978-9) and PSAMP (1994-9) aerial surveys. Introduction In the winter of 2003, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, with funding from the Sea Duck Joint Venture commenced a research project to captured and track the migratory movements of white-winged scoters (Melanitta fusca) and Surf Scoters (M. perspicillata) wintering in the Puget Sound. This project continued during the winters of 2004 - 2006. Scoter populations across the North American continent have undergone dramatic declines during the past 25 years. By comparing nearly identical transects from the MESA aerial surveys (1978-79) to the PSAMP aerial surveys (1993-99) (Figure 1), a 56% decline has taken place between those periods (Figure 2). In addition to these long term declines, PSAMP winter aerial surveys have documented that the scoters continue to be declining in Puget Sound. In order to better understand some of the factors that may be causing these declines, the locations of the spring staging, summer nesting, and fall molting grounds need to be documented, as well as the migratory paths from, and back to, the wintering grounds need to be better understood.   Click for larger image Figure 2. Comparison of winter scoter densities between MESA (1978-79) and PSAMP (1994-99) aerial surveys. Click for larger image Figure 3. Winter nearhsore (<20m depth) densities documented in the inland marine waters of Washington State during PSAMP aerial surveys, 1994-2003.