Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the

Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to assure that all pertinent) information is accounted for). Attach additional Pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach Xerox of field notes, drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana Bird Records Committee, c/o Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.

1. English and Scientific names:

Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

One – female

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

Cameron – in surf near rock jetty about one quarter mile east of Peveto Woods.

4. Date(s) when observed:

March 24, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

1:35 PM CDST

6. Reporting observer and address:

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, LA 71409

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Daniel Mooney, Erik Johnson, Heather Mancuso and Walker Wilson.

8. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

A similar Long-tailed Duck has subsequently been identified in the region – East Jetty Park at Cameron, LA – by Tom Finnie, M. J. Musumeche, and Daniel Dobbs.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

Sun reasonably high with light from over shoulder.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

Mine – Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars in good condition. Bird was identified initially by Erik Johnson using a scope – don’t recall brand. Two other scopes were used to watch bird.

11. Distance to bird(s):

About 200 yards.

12. Duration of Observation:

Watched the bird on and off for about 15 minutes.

13. Habitat:

Surf around rock jetties in front of sand beach.

14. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

Bird was loafing with a large flock of scaup. It dove from time to time.

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what “should” have been seen: include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species):

Erik Johnson’s description: Female with white “face patch” and grayish nape. Mostly dark body with some white in flanks undertail area. In scaup raft. Similar in size to Lesser Scaup but, perhaps, more block-headed.

16. Voice:

Bird was silent.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

Somewhat similar to Lesser Scaup in the raft with it but white head separated it out.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):

As best I recall, Erik Johnson took photos which, I presume, he will submit.

19. Previous experience with this species:

This is the fourth time I have encountered Long-tailed Duck in Louisiana. I have seen numerous LTDUs in Alaska on two visits – 2007 and 2010.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

1. at time of observation: None
2. after observation: Sibley’s Field Guide and National Geographic Field Guide.

21. This description is written from: ___notes made during the observation (notes attached?); _x_notes made after the observation (date: 3-26-12); __x__ memory.

Used notes from Erik Johnson’s ebird report – ACBS-Peveto Woods Beachfront.

22. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain.

Yes.

23. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date 4/15/12 time 9:20 PM