Global Short Term Trend: Decline of 10-30%

Comments: For the period 1984-1994, estimated to be "declining in NW North America; possibly stable in Russia" (Goudie et al. 1994). However, available population data are generally inadequate for reliable determination of population trend (Kehoe 1994).

Global Long Term Trend: Relatively stable to decline of 50%

Comments: Some indications exist of long-term gradual population declines. Number of birds wintering in western Europe may have declined from 1-1.5 million to 500,000 between early 1950's and early 1970's (Madge and Burn 1988). Numbers of wintering scoters of all three species along the Atlantic coast show a gradual, but non-significant, decline between 1954 and 1994 (Kehoe 1996).