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:

White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca

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

One – Male

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:

April 9, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

9:45 AM 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):

Paul Conover who pointed the bird out to me.

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

White-winged Scoters were reported in the area during the pervious weekend by M. J. Musumeche.

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

Sun reasonably high with light from the east while looking westward.

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

Mine – Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars in good condition. Bird was identified initially by Paul Conover using a scope – don’t recall brand.

11. Distance to bird(s):

About 150 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. I did not see it diving. It did a bit of stretching, flapping and preening.

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):

Blocky black bird. Had white tear drop around eyes. White wing patch visible when the bird was stretching-flapping.

16. Voice:

Could not hear bird even if it were vocalizing.

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

Somewhat similar to Lesser Scaup in the raft but dark body, bill shape, white tear drop eye patch, and white wing patches separated it from the scaup and Surf Scoters in the raft.

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

Paul Conover photographed the bird and I presume, he will submit one or more image.

19. Previous experience with this species:

I have encountered White-winged Scoters one other time in Louisiana and have seen them in Alaska in 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?); __notes made after the observation ; __x__ memory.

Reviewed image and comments on Paul Conover’s blog.

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

Yes.

23. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date 4/16/12 time 7:50 AM