Elaine, the MYSTERY BIRD sounds like the bird I reported at
Artemesia just over a week ago now. I took a bunch of
pictures of the resting bird in order to get the head shape
in a relaxed pose. I've had various opinions on the
species: Lesser Scaup (imm. male), Ring-necked Duck, and
Greater Scaup (that just about covers it, doesn't it?).
Here's one of the pictures:
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/xfer/IDs/scaup.jpg
I thought it best matched Lesser Scaup myself, but I'm not
exactly experienced at these things. However, I should
mention that in flight the bird showed very distinct white
bars on the trailing wing close to the body, which is a
fieldmark for Lesser Scaup in the Peterson field guide.
Let me know what you think!
D
--
Derek C. Richardson, Ph.D. (CANTAB) ________
Astronomy, U Maryland, College Park MD 20742
Tel: Office 301-405-8786 Fax 301-314-9067 __
Home page: http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/ __ |