LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis

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

1 female in winter plumage

3. Locality: Parish: St. Tammany

Specific Locality: Lake Pontchartrain at mouth of Tchefuncte River south of Madisonville.

4. Date(s) when observed: 27 December 2013 and 17 February 2014.

5. Time(s) of day when observed: observed at 1 pm and 4 pm on 27 December 2013 and 12 noon on 17 February 2014.

6. Reporting observer and address: Christopher G. Brantley, 162 Elm Street, Mandeville, LA 70448; cell number 985-237-5399

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Heydi Lopes, Pam Morgan and Charles Williams on 27 December 2013.

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

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Overcast, but bird was positioned in open water with sun to my back.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): B&L Elite 10x42 in good condition and Bushnell Spacemaster scope.

11. Distance to bird(s): 200-300 feet

12. Duration of observation: 20-30 minutes during each observation, though bird was actively feeding and underwater for long periods.

13. Habitat: Open water along northern shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Bird was swimming/foraging in lake alone and appeared to spend more time underwater than on the surface.

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): Diving duck with small bill and mostly white face. Wings dark and back brown, with a dark upper neck (lower face) patch that also appeared to wrap around to back of head/neck.

16. Voice: None noted.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): No other diving duck with white face, small bill, dark wings, brown back.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): No.

19. Previous experience with this species: Several sightings along northwest shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain.

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

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: None

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);__X___notes made after the observation (date: 27 December 2013 and 17 February 2014); _____memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes.

23. Date: 17 February 2014 Time: 7:15 pm