Hi Everyone,

A male White-winged Scoter was a nice surprise this afternoon at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center near Grasonville in Queen Annes County.  I believe it was a first year bird, as I did not see the white comma below the eye.  The bill area was almost completely dark with just that odd little light colored area at the tip.  The bird was kind enough to reveal its white secondaries while preening and flapping its wings briefly.

The White-winged Scoter was on the left side of the entrance road when driving in, in the last stretch of Prospect Bay you can see before entering the woods to approach the parking lot for the Visitors Center. It was near one of those orange and white markers that say "Danger."  A single male Canvasback was in the same area with a group of about 30 scaup.

It was also fun to see the gannets and the big congregation of Ruddy Ducks.  Two Brown-headed Nuthatches were along the entrance road as well.

Have fun,

Ron Gutberlet
Salisbury, MD