I and several other birders saw the Tufted Duck at around 4:30 pm at the previously described location behind the Holiday Inn Express at Kent Narrows.  We watched the bird as it swam with a small group of scaup.  The bird was feeding pretty actively, moved around quite a bit (with the scaup) and dived frequently.  We watched the bird for 45 minutes or so before it flew out of the small cove and out of sight (although it didn't seem to be going far).  The Tufted Duck was a great sight in the late afternoon sunlight and we saw the tuft  flop around as it moved its head from side to side.  Also present were a few Black Ducks, Mallards, 1 Osprey, a Gray Catbird, and a singing House Finch.  

Since I still had some daylight left, I went to the other side of the island and put my kayak into the water in the cove south of US 50.  I went out into the more open part of the bay and than headed over to the marshy area on the west side of the bay.  More scaup and Bufflehead were present, as well as a noisy flock of Canada Geese.  Several Double-crested Cormorants flew overhead, as well as an immature Bald Eagle.   The water was smooth as glass and reflecting the bright blue sky.   But, the highlight was 2 Surf Scoters further out on the bay and 1 Short-eared Owl which I saw hunting over the marsh at around 6:30.  I watched the bird hunt over the marsh and than saw it dive into the vegetation, but despite looking and kayaking in the area for awhile, was unable to locate the bird again.

Thank you to everyone who has posted updates on the Tufted Duck the last few days.  It was a very cooperative bird and a great way to end the day.

Fred Shaffer
Crofton, MD