LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

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

3. Locality: Parish: _East Baton Rouge___________________________________________

Specific Locality: 6400 Perkins Blvd at the Pennington Biomed Labs lake._______________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed:2/07/2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:30pm

6. Reporting observer and address: Janine Robin, Franklinton, LA 70438

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Mary Mehaffey, Tom Trenchard and Claire Thomas

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Was overcast, but lots of glare on the lake. Scoter in center of lake with no shade on it.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Canon EOS Rebel t3i with Sigma 300mm lens. Also 8x42 Steiner nocs. Had use of a 60x scope also.

11. Distance to bird(s): 50 to 60 yards over water

12. Duration of observation: 45 minutes

13. Habitat: In a 20 to 30 acre lake behind a large building. In the center of Baton Rouge.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): The bird was in the center of the lake and didn’t stray far from that point. It was seen resting, preening and diving for food. It appeared to be healthy.

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): Large dark duck about the size of a canvasback or shoveler. Clearly seen was the white mark under it’s eyes and a white wing patch with dark brown sides. It’s bill looked bright orange and had a dark to black knob above it’s bill.When it came up from a dive, it would “stand up” and open it’s wings and the white on it’s wings could be seen. It turned on it’s side once and I could see that it’s legs/feet were red.

16. Voice: silent

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):Black male scoters are smaller and have a black bill with a yellow/orange knob. Surf male scoters are closer to the White-winged size but have a large white spot on their forehead and a much more colorful bill.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Yes Janine Robin Yes

19. Previous experience with this species: Only seen once before and that was on 12/31/13 in Lake Pontchartrain near the Brown booby location.

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

a. at time of observation: Other birders that were present and Natl Geo field guide and Sibley field guide

b. after observation: Kaufman field guide and studying my photos.

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __x___memory.

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

23. Date2/8/14Time:_5:00pm______