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The author on 22 June 1981 was watching a flock of 400 common eiders (Somateria mollissima) about 200 m close inshore and about 220 black scoters (Melanitta nigra) 400 m out to sea. Suddenly the common eiders took off eastward to the open sea; a few seconds later, the black scoter flock reacted similarly. The author then noticed that a windsurfer had come into view 500 m to the west and 250 m from the shore around a rocky headland. Some 10 minutes after he had disappeared, the common eiders made their way back, but the black scoters were not seen again. By contrast to the sail and engine-powered dinghies and small boats, the appearance of the windsurfer produced instant panic. Dr. C. H. Fry then inserted an editor's comment as follows: "Casual observations on the Ythan Estuary, Grampian, which I walked for an hour or two in most weeks up to 1986, suggested that none of the wildfowl was much disturbed by the activities of up to about 20 windsurfers who were often present. The ducks, mainly common eiders, long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis), red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator), common goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula) and Eurasian wigeons (Anas penelope), simply moved a minimum distance, 100-300 m perhaps, out of the way. The wildfowl might, of course, initially have been scared; if so, they adapted rapidly."