We are proud to show you our newest aviary at Pinola Conservancy, The Bay. This aviary is home to our flock of both surf scoter and white-winged scoter. Scoters are open ocean inhabitants where they are observed in varying sized flocks, buoyantly riding the waves in between diving great depths to feeds on crustaceans and mollusks. Scoters are quite rare in aviaries, and we wanted to make sure every effort was made to closely replicate their natural environment. The aviary design is majority open water space with minimal ground space around the perimeter of the pool for loafing and, maybe someday, nesting. The substrate is a mixture of varying sizes of river pebble for healthy feet and ease of cleaning. With a pool depth of 5 feet, they have ample room for diving and underwater feeding. A waterspout splashes cool water onto the surface, which the ducks immensely enjoy! A current generator/wave maker pump generates both strong underwater currents and waves, which have proven to be very popular with the ducks! They spend ample amounts of time diving in and swimming against both features, much like in nature! A mixture of both real and artificial rock mixed with sparse plant offerings has given us the overall aesthetics we were seeking. Sharp-eyed observers can see nesting cavities made into the wall. A pelleted diet formulated specifically to suit their nutritional needs is offered and supplemented with various treats daily. The scoters are happy and healthy and are enjoying their new aviary and we are delighted to share it with you.
