February bird of the month: Surf scoter

In winter, surf scoters are found in abundance in Birch Bay and Drayton Harbor, where they come from Alaska to feed and mate. The male's black body, white head patches and yellow-orange bill makes it easily identifiable, while the female's brown coloring allows camouflage in wooded nesting areas. Watching them "surf" while landing, diving for food, and seeing the male stretching its neck and bowing to the female in its mating ritual, makes these birds fun to watch. You'll likely see surf scoters during field trips at the Wings Over Water Birding Festival, March 15-17.