I was just looking up dates and realizing that this time last year we had flocks of scaup flying up over the dams to feed in Alhambra Creek. I think one morning Cheryl counted 30. I was assuming it was later in the year but this picture of mine was taken at the dam and dated February 14th (and don’t I have a romantic life!) Yesterday I did another scaup search. Where are they?
Scaup are an interesting, carnivorous duck that feed on mussels or clams and have the dubious distinction of being able to “play dead” if caught by a predator. We were never sure if they were Lesser or Greater Scaup, because the two species look very alike are are typically differentiated by the presence of absence of salt water. With Alhambra Creeks brackish tidal mixed drink it is anyone’s guess. Last years’ highwater (before the flow device was installed) and then the sudden lowering in January created a bigger mussel population, so maybe that’s why they came then and were less enticed this year. Or its possible the broad barren dredging project discouraged them.
Or maybe they just don’t like sheet pile.
Still, the increase in scaup last year was something of an estuary “coup” since the San Francisco Estuary Project’s State of the Estuary Report described declining scaup every where in the bay area, and didn’t realize the Martinez had gotten lucky!
Keep your eye out for our missing feathered friends, and write if you see anything swimming that looks like an oreo cookie.
UPDATE:
Reader CM writes “Saw one scaup swimming alone just north of starbucks on Monday”. Hear that team? Go find some others….Thanks CM!
